Discovering the ecological secrets of Alsodes cantillanensis (Anura: Alsodidae): Dietary knowledge through computerized microtomography
Jesus A. Morales,
Antonio Parra-Gómez,
David C. Blackburn,
Edward L. Stanley,
Claudio Correa
Affiliations
Jesus A. Morales
Laboratorio de Sistemática y Conservación de Herpetozoos (SyCoH), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
Antonio Parra-Gómez
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Av. Rector Eduardo Morales Miranda 23, Valdivia, Chile
David C. Blackburn
Department of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
Edward L. Stanley
Department of Natural History, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
Claudio Correa
Laboratorio de Sistemática y Conservación de Herpetozoos (SyCoH), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
Computed microtomography is an important tool for understanding the natural history of species using biological collections. Here we report the first dietary data of Alsodes cantillanensis Charrier, Correa, Castro & Méndez, 2015. Using this technique, we found remains of Diplopoda and Coleoptera in the digestive tract of a male from the type locality, providing valuable information on the ecology of the species. These findings may be useful for designing conservation strategies for this endangered species.