Contracting behaviour in three species of Phyllomedusa (Anura: Hylidae: Phyllomedusinae)

Abstract

We report in the present study the occurrence of contracting defensive behaviour in three treefrogs of the genus Phyllomedusa: P. azurea, P. iheringii and P. tetraploidea. It consisted of limbs bent close to the body, dorsum arched with the head towards the belly, and eyes partially closed. This behaviour was previously unreported for P. iheringii and P. tetraploidea and it seems to be a passive defensive strategy against snakes or other predators, characteristic of phyllomedusine frogs.