Leg-interweaving as an antipredator display in Dendropsophus anceps (Amphibia: Anura), with notes on defensive behaviors in the genus

How to respond to an attack by a potential predator is one of the most crucial decisions species have to make during their lifetime. Antipredator strategies in anurans include a wide diversity of defensive mechanisms, such as postural, acoustic, and behavioral responses, many of which remain poorly documented in Neotropical taxa. Here, we report the first record of leg-interweaving behavior in Dendropsophus anceps, observed during fieldwork in a restinga environment in southeastern Brazil. The behavior was exhibited by an adult male which was being handled for morphometric measurements. In addition to this novel record, we synthesize available information on defensive behaviors described for post-metamorphic individuals of the genus Dendropsophus, highlighting the diversity of behavioural responses in this genus. By integrating a new behavioral observation with a genus-level review, this study contributes to a broader understanding of antipredator strategies and behavioral repertoires in Neotropical treefrogs, reinforcing the relevance of field observations for studies on animal behavior and cognition.