Serpent Research: Amphibians Prey for Epomis Beetles

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Amphibians Prey for Epomis Beetles

New findings from Tel-Aviv University show that predator-prey interactions between ground beetles of the genus Epomis and amphibians are much more complex than expected. The study was published in the open access journal Zoo Keys.

"Amphibians are typical insect predators and their diet may include adult beetles, ground beetles in particular. The recently filmed successful attacks of the beetles on toads and frogs brought new insights on the amphibian-insect interactions, and documented the uncommon phenomenon of invertebrates preying on vertebrate animals," said the senior author Gil Wizen.

This image shows the predation of
amphibians by an adult Epomis beetle.

Photo credit: Gil Wisen

Previous research has shown that Epomis larvae feed exclusively on amphibians and that this food source is essential for completion of their life cycle, while the diet of the adult beetles consists of terrestrial invertebrates as well as dead vertebrates. Wizen and Gasith's current study shows that adult Epomis beetles can prey upon live amphibians, in addition to their regular diet.

According to the study, the genus Epomis is represented in Israel by two species: E. dejeani and E. circumscriptus. In the central coastal plain these species have similar distribution but do not occur in the same sites. The researchers recorded Epomis sharing shelter with amphibians during the day, but preying on them during the night. In the laboratory, predation behaviour of the adult beetles on five amphibian species was observed: the Green Toad (Bufo viridis), the Savignyi's Frog (Hyla savignyi), the Levant Green Frog (Rana bedriagae), the Banded Newt (Triturus vittatus), and the Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra infraimmaculata). These observations showed that the diet of the two Epomis species overlaps only partially, with only one of the species (E. dejeani) preying on the Banded Newt.

The results of this study serve as additional evidence that Epomis beetles, both larvae and adults, are specialized predators of amphibians. Moreover, these beetles prey upon several amphibian species.

To watch a video of one of these carib beetles preying on a green toad. Click Here

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Secrets of the Snake Charmer

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John C. Murphy retired from a teaching career to focus on amphibians, reptiles, and photography. He has herpetological field experience in North America, the Caribbean, Central America, Asia, and Australia. His most recent book, Secrets of the Snake Charmer, Snakes in the 21st Century was published in 2010; his other books are: Tales of Giant Snakes (co-authored with Robert W. Henderson), Amphibians and Reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago, and Homalopsid Snakes, Evolution in the Mud. Currently, Murphy is developing a fine art photography business. His other interests include: dogs and human evolution, the environment, and science and society. He is past president of the Chicago Herpetological Society, and a Research Associate in the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles at the Field Museum.

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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Amphibians Prey for Epomis Beetles

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