Reproductive activity of the frog Dendrobates auratus Girard in captivity breeding [Reprodukční aktivita žab Dendrobates auratus girard při chovu vzajetí]

Research of the reproduction activities of Dendrobates auratus Girard,1855 is part of a broader analysis of the problems encountered when keeping frogs from the family Dendrobatidae in captivity. The aim is to achieve an optimization of measures for successful breeding of these amphibians,for both the amateur hobbyist and conservationist alike. Due to the wide area they have colonized,many colour variations exist; the reproduction parameters of six differently coloured examples of the species were tracked. The collection of data happened in standardized conditions over two consecutive years (2007,2008) and was aimed at measuring five indicators concerning reproduction,understanding of egg-laying dynamics during a year,measuring the risk of stock loss during different stages of development and determining if any differences existed between the different colour variations in these parameters. A noticable alternating cycle of rest and reproduction activities has been observed between equinoxes. In the harvest there were usually 5-10 eggs with an average incubation period of 10 days (8-18) at a temperature of 22 °C The total duration of development was on average 74 days (64-103). The number of eggs in a harvest and the duration of incubation were statistically different with the blue form between different observed periods. Total mortality rate during ontogenesis reached 10-53%,the highest losses were in the period when the tadpole left its egg and began developing its hind legs,5-60%. The optimisation of breeding conditions has been reccommended. Secondary benefits of this study research was the collection of new knowledge about ethology of this species in captivity.