An Analysis on Feeding Habits of Fejervarya Multistriata and Microhyla Fissipes in the Middle Segment of Wuliang Mountain

A total of 355 stomachs of Fejervarya multistriata and 144 stomachs of Microhyla fissipes were collected from the same habitat in the middle segment of Wuliang Mountain, Zhenyuan County, Yunnan Province. Stomach contents were studied to analyze the differences in feeding habits and food diversity. The results showed that F. multistriata and M. fissipes principally feed on animal food. Food items of F. multistriata include 3 phyla, 6 classes, 19 orders, while food items of M. fissipes include 1 phylum, 2 classes, 7 orders. The comparison of food diversity between 2 species showed that the food diversity index of F. multistriata was 9.425 and M. fissipes was 1.473. The food diversity of F. multistriata was 7 times higher than that of the M. fissipes. F. multistriata is equipped with larger body size and wider jaw, which leads to a larger variety of diet selection, while the smaller body size and narrower jaw of M. fissipes limits its food size. It was derived that the different breadths of trophic niches were likely due to differentiated body size. The food niche overlap of 2 species was 0.673 6, which indicated competition for food resources. However, from the perspective of food diversity and the proportion of food items, the feeding habit of the M. fissipes is monotonous. The food composition of M. fissipes is mainly Hymenoptera and Isoptera and other ant-like insects, accounting for 98%. The results underline that trophic niche differentiation between 2 sympatric species, which is likely contributed by their morphological divergence of body size.