Data from: Diet and chemical defenses of the Sonoran Desert toads

Abstract

<p>The Sonoran Desert Toad (<em>Incilius alvarius</em>) is the only animal known to secrete the psychedelic compound 5-MeO-DMT as a chemical defense, but the source of 5-MeO-DMT in <em>I. alvarius</em> remains unknown. Some amphibians produce chemical defenses endogenously or through symbiotic interactions, while others acquire them from specialized diets. In this study, we analyzed toxin gland secretions and diet profiles from wild <em>I. alvarius</em> and sympatric anurans from native and urban habitats around Tucson, Arizona, to explore possible links between diet and 5-MeO-DMT production. All <em>I. alvarius</em> secreted high concentrations of 5-MeO-DMT, whereas other sympatric toads did not. The diet of <em>I. alvarius</em> was similar to that of sympatric anurans, indicating that <em>I. alvarius</em> does not exhibit relative dietary specialization. Slight dietary differences between <em>I. alvarius</em> in native and urbanized habitats were observed. Taken together, these lines of evidence suggest that diet is not directly linked to 5-MeO-DMT production, and support the alternative hypotheses that <em>I. alvarius</em> Sonoran Desert toads synthesizes 5-MeO-DMT endogenously, or via a microbial symbiont.</p>

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