Moulting behavior in leaf-frogs of the genus phyllomedusa (Anura : hylidae)

The species belonging to the subfamily Phyllomedusinae presents physiologic al and behavioral adaptations to economise water such as secretion of lipid s coupled with its spreading onto the skin surface through a complex behavi or. adoption of diurnal torpor and secretion of uric acid. Here we describe other adaptation probably involved with water economy, registered in Phyll omedusa distincta, P. tarsius. P. tetraploidea and natural hybrids of P. di stincta and P. tetraploidea - at dusk. these amphibians perform an elaborat e moulting behavior that encompasses the cleaning of the body with the limb s plus gaping and body contractions. Our data show the daily moulting in P. distincta and suggest that the same mechanism occurs for the other species studied. We suppose that daily moulting improves the skin permeability to water being a characteristic of the phyllomedusines which spread lipids ont o the skin surface.