Territorial and vocal behaviour in a captive dart-poison frog, Epipedobates tricolor Boulenger, 1899 (Anura : Dendrobatidae)

Territorial and vocal behaviour of captive dart-poison frogs, Epipedobates tricolor, were studied in captivity, Most adult males (10 out of 13) showed territorial behaviour, while there was no indication of female territoriality. Territorial males defended sites with vocal and aggressive behaviour against male intruders. The residents' aggressive behaviour consisted of chases, physical combat and vocalizations. Only male frogs were observed producing sounds. Males vocalized more often in the morning than in the evening and they preferred to call from elevated perches. Females and non-calling males mainly stayed on the ground surface, although in the afternoon females were often observed visiting male territories.