THE PUDDLE FROG PHRYNOBATRACHUS LATIFRONS AHL 1924 DIET IN THE FISH FARM OF THE BANCO NATIONAL PARK (IVORY COAST)

ABSTRACT The diet of Phrynobatrachus latifrons, an invasive frog species of the Banco National Park, was carried out in the park fish farm area from March 2004 to February 2005. The prey composition was determined from stomach contents of 60 voucher specimens (30 males and 30 females) with respect to sexes and seasons in order to have a better understanding of the species' ecology. Our results revealed that P. latifrons consumed various prey items ranging from insects, crustaceans, annelids, arachnids, molluscs, millipedes to plant parts. However, at sex level males mainly preferred ants and in addition spiders while ants especially were the major prey of females. With respect to seasons, this anuran preferred mostly preying on winged ants predominantly in the rainy season, and wingless ants and spiders as dominant prey in the dry season. Further surveys should document if the plant parts found in the frog's stomach contents are devoured deliberately or not