Depredación de Rhinella crucifer (Wied-Neuwied, 1821) (Anura: Bufonidae) por el insecto de agua gigante Lethocerus grandis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae)

Kaíque  Ferreira de Macedo; Clodoaldo  Lopes Assis; Anderson  Marcos de Oliveira; Renato  Neves Feio

doi:10.3989/graellsia.2021.v77.318

Authors

Kaíque Ferreira de Macedo Museu de Zoologia João Moojen, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4602-672X
Clodoaldo Lopes Assis Museu de Zoologia João Moojen, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5009-2706
Anderson Marcos de Oliveira Museu de Zoologia João Moojen, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9352-4457
Renato Neves Feio Museu de Zoologia João Moojen, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3607-2896

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/graellsia.2021.v77.318

Keywords:

aquatic insects, Brazil, natural history, toad

Abstract

Knowing the trophic links between species is essential to understand their functions in the ecosystem. In this work, we report the first predation record of Rhinella crucifer by the giant water bug Lethocerus grandis. Even though most Brazilian anurans preyed by giant water bugs are smaller than this insect, a larger body size of this predator together with its anesthesic saliva may provide conditions for the subjugation of larger prey.

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