Colour change in Darwin's frogs (Rhinoderma darwinii, Duméril and Bibron, 1841) (Anura: Rhinodermatidae)

Abstract

In the laboratory, wild-caught male Rhinoderma darwinii frogs, but not females, changed body colour from brown to green starting with the appearance of green dorsal spots or a greenish dorsal tone on a brown body colour. After a year in captivity, most males exhibited a greenish or complete green dorsal colour, probably induced by the terrarium's swamp (green) vegetation and season.

Keywords:

• anuran
• Darwin's frogs
• Rhinoderma
• colour change
• Chile

Acknowledgements

We thank the Rhinoderma captive rearing facility team from Concepción University, Chile and its founding institutions [Leipzig Zoo, Concepción University, Chester Zoo, ZGAP (Zoologische Gesellschaft für Arten und Populationsschutz), Reptilia, Huilo-Huilo and SAG]. We acknowledge H. Werning for co-founding the Rhinoderma project, M. Solé, P. Ulmer and A. Charrier for their work in the project, M. Bourke for correcting our English, and M. Solé for pre-peer review. Scientific permits were provided by SAG, Chile, and land permits were provided by land owners. The research was funded by Chester Zoo/North of England Zoological Society in collaboration with Leipzig Zoo, ZGAP and Reptilia. J. Bourke acknowledges a grant from DAAD-CONICYT.