Science and Technology Production
Article
Authorship
DEUTSCH, CAMILA
;
Lucia Embrioni
;
Isis Danae Ibañez
;
Bilenca, David N.
;
Agostini Gabriela
Date
2026
Publishing House and Editing Place
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH)
Magazine
Ichthyology & Herpetology
- ISSN 2766-1512
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH)
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH)
ISSN
2766-1512
Summary
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SIGEVA
Understanding the reproductive biology of species is essential for evaluating theirresponses to environmental change, yet this aspect remains poorly known for manyamphibians of conservation concern. This study addresses the reproductive biology ofthe threatened Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata), including calling phenology,reproductive activity, larval development, and breeding microhabitat. To achieve this,we employed multiple techniques, including direct observations, auditory surveys,capture-...
Understanding the reproductive biology of species is essential for evaluating theirresponses to environmental change, yet this aspect remains poorly known for manyamphibians of conservation concern. This study addresses the reproductive biology ofthe threatened Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata), including calling phenology,reproductive activity, larval development, and breeding microhabitat. To achieve this,we employed multiple techniques, including direct observations, auditory surveys,capture-mark-recapture, and telemetry, over three breeding seasons (2019–2022) in apriority area for the conservation of the species in central Argentina. Ceratophrysornata exhibits an annual and seasonal (spring/summer) breeding pattern, with anaverage of two explosive events per season. Reproductive activity is influenced byaccumulated rainfall (>55 mm over 5 days) and high relative humidity (~99%). Wedescribed the amplexus as “neck amplexus” and estimated the average developmenttime to Gosner stage 46 at 60 days. High larval mortality and low recruitment suggestthat shortened hydroperiods, exacerbated by prolonged droughts and wetlandalterations, may threaten the reproductive success of the species. The breedingmicrohabitat was located in shallow temporary ponds with intermediate-heightvegetation composed of psammophilous grassland species. We present the first studyconducted on wild populations of C. ornata, providing fundamental evidence toevaluate threats and inform conservation strategies.
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Key Words
PHENOLOGYCERATOPHRYS ORNATAREPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGYHABITAT