Black-cheeked gnateater (conopophaga, Melanops, Conopophagidae): a predator of small frogs and lizards of the atlantic forest of Brazil

Schunck, Fabio; Melo, Marcos A.; Malagoli, Leo R. [UNESP]

Black-cheeked gnateater (conopophaga, Melanops, Conopophagidae): a predator of small frogs and lizards of the atlantic forest of Brazil

Date

2022-01-01

Authors

Schunck, Fabio

Melo, Marcos A.

Malagoli, Leo R.

Publisher

Neotropical Ornithological Soc, Usgs Patuxent Wildlife Research Ctr

Type

Article

Abstract

There is only one report of predation of small vertebrates by species of the Neotropical family Conopophagidae: the capture of an anuran by a Rufous Gnateater (Conopophaga lineata). Here, we present three records of predation on small vertebrates by Black-cheeked Gnateaters (Conopophaga melanops). On December 2008 in southeastern Brazil, we found a recently dead frog (Fritziana mitus, Hemiphractidae) with lesions on its body next to an adult female Black-cheeked Gnateater captured in a mist net. Additionally, searching in two digital birding platforms we found two records of predation on an anuran and a lizard by Black-cheeked Gnateaters. All three records occurred during their reproductive period, suggesting that the prey may serve as a food resource for the young. This behavior should be better investigated in the Atlantic Forest, a region with high bird and frog diversity.