Tadpole and vocalisations of Phyllodytes wuchereri (Anura: Hylidae) from Bahia, Brazil.

The genus Phyllodytes comprises eleven species strictly associated with bromeliads. Despite the fact that knowledge of the reproductive biology and natural history of a single species is important for any conservation and taxonomic issues, tadpoles and vocalisations of most species of Phyllodytes have not as yet been described. Herein we describe the tadpole (external and internal oral morphology) and the two different call types of Phyllodytes wuchereri. We conducted field surveys at the Serra da Jibóia, Elísio Medrado municipality, Bahia State. The tadpoles inhabit bromeliad phytothelms and have a depressed body, low fins, and a ventrally located oral disc that is bordered by a single row of marginal papillae with a wide anterior gap. The labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/4(1). We also provide field observations on the natural history of adults and tadpoles. The advertisement call has a mean duration of 4.3 ± 0.3 s and is emitted in series of 18 ± 2 multi-pulsed notes per call. A second call type was recorded and is herein referred to as courtship call. Finally, we compare our results with tadpole morphology and call data that is available for other Phyllodytes species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]