SEAVR 2018: 040-043
ISSN : 2424-8525
Date of publication: 14 May 2018
Hosted online by ecologyasia.com

Observations on the nest of Woodworth’s Frog Limnonectes woodworthi
and predation of its eggs by ants
Jake Wilson B. BINADAY
jwbinaday@gmail.com
Observer: Jake Wilson B. Binaday.
Photographs by: Jake Wilson B. Binaday.
Subject identified by: Jake Wilson B. Binaday.
Location: Sitio Nagsipit, Brgy. Mariroc, Municipality of Tabaco, Albay Province, Luzon Island, Philippines(13.305588°N,123.688988°E; WGS 84).
Elevation: 399 metres.
Habitat: Dry riverbed within semi-disturbed secondary-growth forest.
Date and time: 11 June 2017, 18:09 hrs and 18 June 2017, 08:21hrs.
Identity of subject: Woodworth’s Frog, Limnonectes woodworthi (Amphibia: Anura: Dicroglossidae).
Description of record: On the evening of 11 June 2017, an adult vocalizing male Limnonectes woodworthi wasobserved along with a clutch of eggs, on a moist narrow rock platform, approximately 1 metre above a small andshallow pool of water (Figs. 1 to 3). The area is along a relatively dry stream bed (Fig. 3), which seems to only haveflowing water when there has been continuous heavy rains for several days. The eggs were observed to bearound Stage 11 to 12 based on Gosner (1960). On the morning of 18 June 2017, the nest site was revisited and it
was in the process of being actively predated by ants (Figs 4 & 5).

Fig. 1. Adult male Limnonectes woodworthi perched on nest.

40© Jake Wilson B. Binaday

Fig. 2. Close-up of Limnonectes woodworthi nest and eggs.

© Jake Wilson B. Binaday

Fig. 3. Location of Limnonectes woodworthi nest along a dry riverbed© Jake Wilson B. Binaday

41

Fig. 4. Predation of ants on Limnonectes woodworthi eggs.

© Jake Wilson B. Binaday

Fig. 5. Close-up of predation of ants on Limnonectes woodworthi eggs.

© Jake Wilson B. Binaday

42

Remarks: The adult frog was identified as Limnonectes woodworthi based on its (i) distinctive advertisement call,(ii) dorsal and dorso-lateral folds, (iii) dark tympanic region and (iv) medium body size (McLeod et al, 2011).
There is no existing reference on identifying this species’ eggs. Considering the fact that the only anuran species
observed on the site other than L. woodworthi were; Platymantis dorsalis and Platymantis corrugatus, which are
direct developers; Polypedates leucomystax which is a foam nester; Occidozyga laevis which is almost a purely
aquatic species, it is highly likely that the observed nest is that of L. woodworthi.
The nest was situated just above a pool of water. It is expected that when the eggs hatch, the tadpoles will fall
down to the pool of water below. The hatching will most probably occur during a downpour to ease the tadpoles
movement from the nest to the pool of water. Considering the nest site was located in a dry riverbed, it would beinteresting to know whether L. woodworthi individuals habituating streams and rivers have similar nesting site
preference.
Woodworth’s Frog is known to occur throughout Luzon and nearby islands in the Philippines (Diesmos et al.
2015). It is a Dicroglossid or ‘fanged frog’ species that is commonly encountered in riparian habitats throughout
its range. Currently, only limited knowledge exists on the reproductive biology of this species. This observation of
the species’ nest provides new information on the species’ nesting preference and the predators of its eggs.
References:
Diesmos, A., Watters, J., Huron, N., Davis, D., Alcala, A., Crombie, R., Afuang, L., Gee-Das, G. Sison, R., Sanguila, M.,
Penrod, M., Labonte, M., Davey, C., Austine Leon, E., Diesmos, M. & Sy, E. (2015). Amphibians of the Philippines,
Part I: Checklist of the Species. Proceedings of the California Academy of Science 62(4): 457–539.
Grosner, K. (1960). A simplified table for staging anuran embryos and larvae with notes on identification.
Herpetologica 16(3): 183–190.
Mcleod, D., Siler, C., Diesmos, A., Diesmos, M., Garcia, V., Arkonceo, A., Balaquit, K., Uy, C., Villaseran, M., Yarra,
E.& Brown, R. M. (2011). Amphibians and Reptiles of Luzon Island, V: The Herpetofauna of Angat Dam Watershed,
Bulacan Province, Luzon Island, Philippines. Asian Herpetological Research 2(4): 177–198.

43