a well-protected breeding site and are safe from predation. The eggs of Lithodytes lineatus require protection from predatory animals such as spiders, beetles, wasps, snakes, and turtles that prey on terrestrial eggs. Additionally, ant nests provide a stable microenvironment of higher humidity than other environments, which is thought to be essential for reproduction and is optimal for frog egg development. It is not clear whether the ants benefit from the arrangement, but an examination of the contents of two frogs' stomachs showed that their diet included earthworms, crickets, isopods and insect larvae, with less than 10% being ants. The consumption of ants may be of benefit to ants and be tolerated by the species as it acts as a form of population control for the ants. Another possibility could be that these frogs are consuming competitors, enemies, and predatory insects of Atta cephalotes, thus decreasing competition and potentially benefiting the ants. Atta ants mainly feed on fungal symbionts growing within their nests and do not require other prey, so consumption of frog eggs in this inter-genus association is not a concern. Male frogs of this species have been observed calling at the entrance to, as well as from the inside of, an Atta laevigata nest. Juvenile frogs have been observed emerging from a nest of Atta sexdens. Parental Care The exact mechanism by which Lithodytes lineatus constructs foam nests remains unknown. However, studies of foam nest construction by other Leptodactylidae frogs may offer some insight into the construction process. There are a variety of ways foam nests can be made, but the most common seem to start with the male and female in an amplexus mating position, with the male on top of the female and grasping it with his front legs. The pair rock back and forth, and the female discharges fertilized eggs and jelly. The male moves its legs in a motion resembling a windshield wiper, mixing air into the jelly to create foam around the fertilized eggs. This complete process takes around 4–5 seconds. The foam nests of Lithodytes lineatus are found in dry areas or seasonally wet environments of high temperature and fluctuating water levels. It has been theorized that the foam prevents eggs from drying up, a disastrous result for the eggs. Additionally, foam nests provide a thermal environment of elevated temperature and moisture, which allow eggs and larvae to develop rapidly. The structure of