The Cases of Abnormal Amplexus in Anura on the Territory of the Chernivtsi Region, Ukraine

Abstract

The paper contains information about 21 cases of abnormal amplexus among anurans (Amphibia) detected on the territory of the Chernivtsi Region, Ukraine. Multiple amplexus, consisting of one female and two or more males, was registered in three species: Bombina variegata, Bufo bufo, Rana temporaria. The author described interspecific amplexus in six cases. Five of them were among anurans (Bufo bufo male × Pelophylax lessonae male, Rana dalmatina males × Rana temporaria female or males, Rana temporaria male × Pelophylax ridibundus female) and one case — among Anura and Caudata (Bombina variegata male × Lissotriton montandoni female).

Keywords

• amphibia
• abnormal spawning
• mating behaviour
• lissotriton montandoni