The evolution of myrmecophagy and its correlates in poison frogs (Family Dendrobatidae)

Poison frogs (Family Dendrobatidae) are common leaf litter inhabitants of New World tropical rainforests. The name of this group derives from several genera (especially Dendrobates, Minyobates, and Phyllobates) that are aposematically coloured and have toxic skin to varying degrees. Other species in the family, primarily the genus Colostethus, are cryptically coloured and non-toxic. Recent studies have revealed that the toxic compounds in the skin, which are lipophilic alkaloids, may have a dietary origin. Diets and associated characteristics, prey size, prey number, and niche breadth, of nine species in five genera, three of which have poisonous species, were examined. Interpretation of these characteristics in light of an independently constructed cladogram revealed the inclusion of a high percentage of Formicidae (ants) in the diets of toxic species. Although alkaloids have been reported in several insect groups, more alkaloids are known from ants than any other group. Species in the genus Dendrobates, which are poisonous and have many other derived characters, have diets composed of 50-73% ants, whereas percentages of ants used by non-toxic species in the genus Colostethus was 12-16%. Ants are the major prey category consumed by the five poisonous species considered in this study. In general, frogs separated into two groups. More basal groups with non-toxic skin and cryptic coloration had diets with low percentages of ants, low numbers of prey per individual, and high niche breadths, indicating inclusion of a broad range of prey categories in their diets. Species with poisonous skin and aposematic coloration had diets with large percentages of ants, large numbers of prey per individual, and low niche breadths, indicating diets with relatively few prey categories. Thus, diet and the subsequent evolution of uptake systems for alkaloids, may be the primary character that led to the development of toxic skin and permitted aposematism, leading to radiation of poisonous species.