The observation described in this note appears to be the first record of ant predation upon anuran eggs. At an ephemeral pool in Big Bend National Park, Texas, we observed ants (Forelius mccooki) walking along a blade of grass onto the gelatin of a Couch?s spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii) egg mass on the water surface. The ants had eaten through the gelatinous envelope and were harvesting the ovum and returning to their nest.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Title | Scaphiopus couchii (Couch's spadefoot). Predation |
| Authors | Gage H. Dayton, R.E. Jung |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Herpetological Review |
| Index ID | 5223896 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |