Morphometric variation of Pipa pipa (Linnaeus, 1758) (Anura: Pipidae) with notes on diet and gonad development

Abstract

Pipa pipa is an emblematic and endemic aquatic frog from the Amazonian Basin, but much of its biology remains poorly known. In this paper we focused on morphometric variation, diet and gonad examination of P. pipa. We measured 23 morphometric variables in 56 individuals of P. pipa and tested for sexual dimorphism and for geographic variation using Principal Component Analysis. Data on diet and gonad development were studied in one population. The morphometric study showed that forearm diameter, finger and snout length are sexually dimorphic characteristics, all larger in males. The most abundant item found in the species’ diet was Cyclopoida, whereas Heteroptera represented the group with the highest occurrence in stomachs