Frogs

Allobates femoralis is a small territorial poison-dart frog (Dendrobatidae) from South America with complex spatial and social behavior. At the onset of the rainy season, males establish territories, which are vocally advertised and defended from competitors for up to several months.  Courtship, mating and oviposition take place in the leaf-litter within the male’s territory. Tadpoles are later transported to widely dispersed aquatic sites, such as temporary pools tens to hundreds of meters away from the territory. We’re exploring the behavioral flexibility and orientation mechanism involved in A. femoralis reproductive behavior. The work is being done in the field in French Guiana as well as under controlled laboratory conditions at the University of Vienna