Toe regeneration in the neotropical frog Allobates femoralis

Abstract

Toe-clipping is a standard method for marking and tissue
\nsampling in amphibians, and in most adult anurans such
\nmarks are permanent. Here we document the consistent
\nregeneration of toes in the aromobatid frog Allobates
\nfemoralis during a three-year population study. The
\nemergence of new toe discs was observed after about
\ntwo months. After one year the regrown toes had
\nrecovered to 65.6%/63.8% (males/females) of the size
\nof unclipped toes and after two years they had attained
\n74.0%/69.0%. Whereas toe discs before amputation were
\nwhite dorsally, all but one regenerated toe discs were dark.
\nWe did not detect any malformations or infections of the
\ndigits. Recapture rates of toe-clipped individuals were
\nindiscernible from those of a nearby population where no
\ntoe clips were taken. We discuss a possible link between
\ntoe regeneration ability and life-history attributes.