Population Biology of the Frog Leptodactylus pentadactylus in a Central Amazonian Rainforest

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Abstract
Reproduction, variation in population density, food availability, feeding, and growth and survival rates of juvenile and adult Leptodactylus pentadactylus were studied from February 1987 to April 1988 in Reserva Florestal Adolfo Ducke (RFAD), Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil. Reproduction occurred only in September and October. Population demography was therefore characterized by the presence of discrete annual generations and a sudden increase in population density following the reproductive season. Individuals were nearly two years old at first reproduction. Survival rate was unrelated to age and relatively constant throughout the year. Food availability was highest in the late dry season and in the wet season. Mean volume of stomach contents was used to index rates of food consumption, which generally varied in concert with food availability. Size-independent, individual growth rates also varied throughout the year and were significantly correlated with rainfall, food consumption, and food availability. Seasonality in reproductive behavior of L. pentadactylus at RFAD may allow recently metamorphosed juveniles to profit from predictable peaks in food availability. It is suggested that prey availability, through its effect on food consumption and hence individual growth rates, influences the time that individuals take to reach sexual maturity.

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