In addition to Anax imperator mentioned before, tadpoles are also hunted by the larvae of aquatic arthropods Tramea basilaris and Pantala flavescens. Adult aquatic predators include two water beetle species (Hydrocyrius columbiae and Nepella pauliani) and Ranatra sp. Hatchlings of the turtle Pelomedusa subrufa also feed on the tadpoles of P. microps , among other frog species. Once an adult, Phrynomantis microps has a unique way of avoiding predation during daylight. Many Phrynomantis microps take up residence in nests of large ants or termites. These large ants, including the specie Paltothyreus tarsatus and Megaponera foetens, are extremely aggressive and capable of both biting and stinging. There stings are enough to greatly injure or kill frogs. Despite the ants’ territoriality, Phrynomantis microps are able to live within the burrows and never suffer a single sting and only the occasional bite. That is thanks to the peptide secretion they produce on their skin. When entering a burrow or triggering aggression from the ants, Phrynomantis microps crouch their bodies and cover their heads with their forelegs, raising their posterior upwards. This posture is a common defense against predation in other frog species, and uses the markings on the frogs posterior to mimic the head of a larger animal. Thus it is likely not a specific adaptation towards the ants. Remaining still does allow the ants to antennate and explore the frog’s body. The ants quickly rub their antennae against their forelegs, indicating the secretion is likely toxic to the ants. Termites bathed in water that Phrynomantis microps had bathed in shortly before also inhibited any aggressive behavior from the ants, despite being their favorite prey. Protective coloration and behavior Tadpoles are translucent and remain near the surface of the water during the day. They move very little or not at all, only using their fin filaments to remain head facing slightly up towards the surface. It is postured that their translucent bodies, when close to the surface, use the entering light to camouflage from predators. When it is dark any light will make them shine rather than melt into the surrounding water, which would explain why the tadpoles move into deeper water when night arrives, and never swarm at night. Gallery References Sources C. Michael Hogan. 2013. Phrynomantis microps. African Amphibians Lifedesk. ed. B.Zimkus AmphibiaWeb. 2022. https://amphibiaweb.org University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 12 Oct 2022 Carroll, John & Weldon, Paul. (2006).