Homing and Site Fidelity in a Neotropical Frog, Atelopus varius (Bufonidae)

Homing ability was examined in the neotropical frog, Atelopus varius (Bufonidae), in Costa Rica. Frogs were distributed in and along a mountain stream at 1140 m elevation. Equal numbers of frogs were displaced 10 m upstream and 10 m downstream from their original capture site. Successful homing was defined as return to within 1 m of the original capture site within one week after displacement. Frogs homed equally well downstream and upstream and there was no significant difference between males and females in frequency of homing. Resident frogs (individuals known to have stayed within 1.5 m of a particular spot for the previous 10-41 d) homed significantly more often than did transients (individuals first found at the time of the experiment, never during the preceding 41 d). There was no significant difference in tendency to home during the dry season vs wet season. The reasons for site fidelity and associated homing behavior in this species are not clear.