NEW RECORDS OF AMPHIBIAN PREDATION BY SNAKES IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Events of predation of amphibians by snakes

Abstract

Studies that address predator-prey relationships can provide important information about aspects of the ecology and natural history of the species involved. Despite this, predation events in nature are rarely observed and documented due to their fortuitous nature. Here, we present two records of predation events on Boana raniceps and Scinax x-signatus (Anura: Hylidae) by Philodryas olfersii and Psomophis joberti (Snakes: Colubridae), respectively, in the nature in northeastern Brazil. We also compare the diet with that of other congeneric species and briefly discuss the definition of ontogenetic variation in the diet of Philodryas olfersii.