Experimental evidence for maternal provisioning of alkaloid defenses in a dendrobatid frog. (1st April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saporito, Ralph A.; Russell, Matthew W.; Richards-Zawacki, Corinne L.; Dugas, Matthew B.
• Is Part Of: Toxicon. Volume 161(2019)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2019-04-01
• Subjects: Chemical defense -- Dendrobatid -- Feeding experiment -- Oophaga -- Poison frog -- Sequestration; Toxins -- Periodicals; Venom -- Periodicals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.02.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0041-0101

Abstract

Abstract: Dendrobatid frogs sequester alkaloid defenses from dietary arthropods. Here, we provide experimental evidence that mother strawberry poison frogs ( Oophaga pumilio ) provision alkaloids to tadpoles. Captive-raised females were fed the synthetic alkaloid decahydroquinoline (DHQ), which we subsequently quantified in their skin, eggs, and developing tadpoles. DHQ quantity was positively associated with tadpole mass/development, suggesting high sequestration rates by tadpoles. These data confirm that tadpoles obtain nutrition and alkaloids by feeding exclusively on maternally provisioned eggs. Highlights: Dendrobatid poison frogs sequester alkaloid-based defenses from dietary arthropods. Aquatic tadpoles of Oophaga pumilio do not feed on alkaloid-containing arthropods. Mother Oophaga pumilio provision developing tadpoles with alkaloids. Tadpoles obtain nutrition and defensive alkaloids by feeding on maternally provisioned eggs.