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โครงการรวบรวมและจัดทําเอกสารวารสารอิเล็กทรอนิกส์ มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์

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THE STOMACH CONTENTS OF SOME ANURAN TADPOLES FROM THAILAND

1
1
2
3
Benjawan Moonasa , Prapaiporn Thongproh , Ekachai Phetcharat , Wassana Kingwongsa ,
5
6
4
Pramote Ratree , Prateep Duengkae , Theerasak Somdee ,
1,*
1
Yodchaiy Chuaynkern & Chantip Chuaynkern

ABSTRACT

The stomach contents of 18 tadpole species in Thailand were studied. The tadpoles in this study consisted
of one species of the family Bufonidae (Duttaphrynus melanostictus); one species of Dicroglossidae
(Fejervarya limnocharis); four species of Megophryidae (Megophrys carinense, Megophrys sp.,
Leptobrachium smithi and Leptolalax sp.); six species of Microhylidae (Microhyla butleri, Microhyla
berdmorei, Microhyla heymonsi, Micryletta inornata, Kaloula pulchra and Glyphoglossus molossus); three
species of Ranidae (Clinotarsus penelope, Hylarana erythraea and Sylvirana nigrovittata); and three species
of Rhacophoridae (Polypedates leucomystax, Rhacophorus rhodopus and Rhacophorus jarujini). Tadpole
specimens were collected by net from the following five areas: Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chaiyaphum
Province, Yoddom Wildlife Sanctuary in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei
Province, Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary in Tak Province, and Nam Nao National Park in Phetchabun Province.
Specimens were dissected in order to remove their stomachs. All stomach contents were kept in order to
create semi-permanent slides, which were observed under the light microscope. The results of tadpole
stomach contents showed eight groups of food items, which included microalgae (25 genera), protozoa (3
genera), fungi like-organisms, rotifers (3 genera, including amictic eggs and bdelloid rotifers), diatoms (16
genera), arthropods, nematodes, and plant parts.

Keywords: Amphibian, diet, food items, stomach analysis, Thailand

INTRODUCTION

Food is an important welfare factor for all living organisms. In amphibians, caecilians generally
feed on earthworms and other invertebrates, while anurans and salamanders feed almost exclusively
on insects (Vitt & Caldwell, 2009). Naturally, there is large diversity of food items available in their
habitats, but the amphibians do not eat all of these prey items. Depending upon amphibian species
and their foraging habits, only subsets of these available foods are eaten. Environment factors, such
as physical and biological factors (or abiotic and biotic factors), influence the diversity of amphibian
diets.

1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Mueang Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
2 Na Yung-Nam Som National Park, Udon Thani, 41380, Thailand
3 Center for Study Natural and Wildlife, Nam Yuen, Ubon Ratchathani, 34260, Thailand
4 Protected Area Regional Office 14 (Ubon Ratchathani), Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation,
Mueang Ubon Ratchathani, Ubon Ratchathani, 63000, Thailand
5 Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
6 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Mueang Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
* Corresponding author: ichant@kku.ac.th

วารสารสัตว์ป่าเมืองไทย ปีที่ 25 พ.ศ. 2561 Journal of Wildlife in Thailand Vol. 25, 2018