The British Herpetological Society

The Herpetological Journal is the Society's prestigious quarterly scientific journal. Articles are listed in Biological Abstracts, Current Awareness in Biological Sciences,Current Contents, Science Citation Index, and Zoological Record.

 ISSN 0268-0130

2021 Impact Factor from Clarivate for the Herpetological Journal is 1.194, an increase of 0.332 from 2020.


pdf 06. Diet, activity patterns, microhabitat use and defensive strategies of Rhinella hoogmoedi Caramaschi & Pombal, 2006 from a humid forest in northeast Brazil

979 downloads

Open Access

pp. 29-37
Authors: de Mattos Brito, Lucas Bezerra; Aguiar, Felipe; Moura-Neto, Célio; Zucco, Carlos André & Cascon, Paulo

Abstract: We studied the natural history of the leaf-litter toad, Rhinella hoogmoedi Caramaschi & Pombal, 2006, in a rain forest located in an altitudinal rocky remain within the Brazilian caatinga biome. Rhinella hoogmoedi was more abundant during the first half of the wet season, when recruitment of new cohorts was observed. Leaf litter was the most commonly used substrate and activity was mainly diurnal. There was a positive relation between maximum prey size (length/volume) and predator size; ants and mites were the predominant prey in adults and froglets, respectively. The following defensive strategies were registered: cryptic and polymorphic colour pattern, immobility, thanatosis, generation of distress calls and production of a foamy substance by the paratoid glands. The similarities in natural history aspects among members of the R. margaritifera species group indicate a case of ecological niche conservatism.

Keywords: RHINELLA MARGARITIFERA, ANURA, NATURAL HISTORY, FORAGING ECOLOGY, BUFONIDAE

Download Access:

The latest 8 issues can be downloaded when logged in with a Herpetological Journal subscription membership.

Individual articles can be purchased for download.

Older issues and occasional Open Access articles are available for public download

Submissions:

For further information and submission guidelines please see our Journal Instructions to Authors

pdfBHS Ethics Policy

IMPORTANT NOTE - JUNE 2020

Please note that as from Volume 31 Number 1 (January 2021) on, the Herpetological Journal will be available as an online publication only - the last print edition will be Volume 30 Number 4.   

Aligning with this change, it is now no longer possible to purchase a subscription that includes a print copy of the HJ.  All members who have existing HJ print subscriptions that remain active as at end June 2020 will receive the full four 2020 print editions.  New subscribers or renewals after this time will only have option to subscribe to the online only subscription package.  Subscription pricing has been amended to reflect the content changes.

 

Search Publications