Rupirana cardosoi is an endemic and threathened anuran species from the Chapada Diamantina region (Bahia, Brazil), with limited information available on its natural history, particularly its feeding behavior and diet. Using the stomach-flushing technique, we analyzed the stomach contents of 55 individuals collected in the Chapada Diamantina National Park (PNCD). We describe the species’ diet and assess prey availability in the environment. Based on our findings, we classify R. cardosoi as an active forager and ant specialist, given its strong preference for ants compared to other prey categories available in the habitat. Consequently, we conducted a detailed identification of the Formicidae species consumed. The diet revealed a remarkable proportion of ants from species known to produce alkaloids and from species with aggressive defensive behaviors — typically a critical component in the diets of poisonous anurans or actively avoided by many frog species. Additionally, we documented the ant Anochetus horridus as a new occurrence for Bahia. Our findings highlight the value of anuran diet analysis for understanding the natural history of species, as it can provide insights into rare or novel arthropod species present in the environment through the examination of prey items.
Ferraz-Gonçalves et al. (Tue,) studied this question.