Anti-predator defence mechanisms may have evolved during the process that enabled these tadpole species to occupy large permanent streams, which often shelter predatory fishes.
In sites where visibility was too poor for observation of tadpoles, such as areas with submerged aquatic vegetation, microhabitats were sampled with a small dipnet.
Females construct underground nests, typically at the beginning of the rainy season before temporary ponds fill, in which they oviposit and attend eggs and tadpoles.
Dendrobatids with terrestrial oviposition and subsequent parental tadpole transportation were continuously active.
The role of adult anurans in choosing oviposition sites may also influence the distribution of tadpole species among streams.
We investigated the correlation between calling activity, rainfall, temperature and water level in two ponds and recorded the occurrence of tadpoles of pond-breeding species.
In the third axis, larger values indicate use of deeper microhabitats by tadpoles.
Tadpoles were counted and the number of tadpoles per sweep calculated.
