New record of leg-interweaving behavior in Boana polytaenia (Cope, 1870) (Anura: Hylidae): an expansion of the antipredator repertoire in Neotropical anurans
Palavras-chave:
Legs-interweaving, Anuran behavior, Defensive strategiesResumo
Amphibians exhibit a wide range of antipredator behaviors, such as thanatosis, alarm vocalizations, and distraction displays, aimed at reducing predation risk. Leg-interweaving is a rare antipredator behavior, characterized by crossing the hind limb over the body. Here, we report the first record of this behavior for Boana polytaenia, which represents the first documented
occurrence within the genus. It is thought to represent a displaced behavior in an out-of-context response to stress rather than a true defense mechanism, although it is discussed to have a potential role in enhancing aposematic displays, reproductive signals, chemical defenses, physical obstruction against predation, or body pattern distortion, favoring camouflage. The inconsistent occurrence and scarce reports of leg interweaving emphasize the importance of further experimental studies to determine its functional role and ecological relevance, thereby enriching our understanding of the evolution and functional diversity of defensive strategies in anurans.
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