Vol. 47 No. 2, 2008

Nest Choice and Breeding Phenology of an Arboreal-Breeding Frog, Kurixalus eiffingeri (Rhacophoridae), in a Bamboo Forest

Yi-Shian Lin and Yeong-Choy Kam*

Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan

Yi-Shian Lin and Yeong-Choy Kam (2008) WNest choice and reproductive phenology of Kurixalus eiffingeri (formerly known as Chirixalus eiffingeri) were studied in a bamboo tree habitat in the Chitou area, central Taiwan from Feb. 2004 to Mar. 2005.  We visited the study site weekly where we searched for newly laid egg clutches in stumps during the daytime and recorded the oviposition site characteristics.  We also counted the number of stumps with standing water and measured the water depth in every stump.  At night, we searched for frogs on the forest floor and every stump.  Results showed that changes in the water level of the bamboo cups were closely associated with rainfall patterns, and a step-wise regression revealed that the number of stumps containing water and the water level of those stumps were the most important factors influencing the breeding activity of K. eiffingeri.  Stumps differed in height, diameter, cup depth, and water depth.  In addition, the water level of every stump fluctuated over time, and the pattern and amount of water level fluctuation varied among stumps.  Results showed that K. eiffingeri is selective about oviposition sites, which is probably related to the water resource in the bamboo cups that varies greatly among stumps and is the most critical resource for the survival of embryos and tadpoles.  However, stumps that were used 1, 2, 3, or 4 times did not significantly differ in characteristics of stumps, suggesting that other factors may be important in determining the reuse of stumps.

Key words: Anura, Chirixalus eiffingeri, Container habitats, Nest choice, Phytotelmata.

*Correspondence: Tel: 886-4-23550609.  Fax: 886-4-23550609.  E-mail:biyckam@thu.edu.tw