A possible mutualistic interaction between vertebrates: frogs use water buffaloes as a foraging place


Zduniak P., Erciyas Yavuz K., Tryjanowski P.

ACTA HERPETOLOGICA, vol.12, no.1, pp.113-116, 2017 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 12 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.13128/acta_herpetol-20574
  • Journal Name: ACTA HERPETOLOGICA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.113-116
  • Keywords: Bubalus bubalis, interaction, Pelophylax ridibundus, MARSH FROG, BIRDS, ASSOCIATION, LIVESTOCK, PALLAS
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Mutualisms shape biodiversity by influencing the ecology and the evolution of populations and communities. For example, among many others, birds commonly forage in association with large mammals, including livestock, but so far no similar relationship has been described for amphibians. In this note we describe the association between the Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) and the Anatolian Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Turkey and provide possible explanations for the existence of direct relations between these representatives of two vertebrate classes. We hope that our note stimulates future research on this subject.