关键词:
PARENTAL CARE
摘要:
The Cuban archipelago hosts at least thirteen endemic species of the genus Eleutherodactylus that live in association with rocks, caves, or limestone landscapes. However, the reproductive biology of Cuban rock-cave dwelling frogs has received little attention. In this contribution, we offer the first report of oviposition, clutch size, nest site locations, and hatching in Eleutherodactylus (Syrrophus) zeus. Clutches of this species in different development stages were sighted in rock depressions and crevices inside of the Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas, located in Sierra de Quemados, Vinales, Pinar del Rio province. Clutch sizes ranged from 48 to 74 eggs, and hatching success was 98% for one of them. Moreover, we document the first report of nest attendance by a species of the subgenus Syrrophus, the strategy of which may be biparental, with either male or female parental care. Our findings are important not only in understanding general life-history strategies, but also in understanding particular strategies for an endemic species whose habitat specialization is associated with an at-risk system.