Urea excreted by tropical frogs is explained by their body mass and the mass of insects consumed

Abstract

Frog insect interactions are prominent and they result in services that are crucial in the ecosystem. The primary nitrogenous waste that frogs produce is urea. However, the role of biotic variables on urea excretion, has not been fully investigated. Frogs comprising of six Polypedates maculatus and seven Minervarya agricola were maintained in controlled condition after tagging them with passive integrated transponders. Thirteen experiments were performed to test whether, frog species or frogs body mass or insect body mass, or a combination of these explained the amount of urea excreted by the frogs. We found that body mass of the frogs and the amount of insect biomass consumed explained the amount of urea excreted in the two species. In the light of these findings, we discuss the role of frogs in converting insect biomass into urea in the ecosystem.