Temperature-dependent preferences for advertisement-call frequency in females of Hyla versicolor

Abstract only availableMale treefrogs produce loud and persistent acoustic signals called advertisement calls to attract mates. Ectothermic animals like frogs face an interesting challenge, in that temperature can significantly impact characteristics of the species-specific advertisement call. The mate-choice preferences of female gray treefrogs (H. versicolor) have been extensively studied (reviewed by Gerhardt & Huber 2002). It has been found that females prefer calls with standard frequency peaks of 1.1 kHz + 2.2 kHz over calls with higher and lower frequencies at 20º C. However, it is not known how this preference is affected by temperature. To determine whether acoustic preferences based on frequency are temperature-dependent, I collected female frogs during their breeding season and tested them in a temperature-controlled anechoic testing chamber. I generated ten different computer-synthesized advertisement calls that ranged in frequency between 0.55 + 1.1 kHz to 1.5 + 3.0 kHz. In two-speaker choice tests conducted at three different temperatures (15º C, 20º C and 25º C), females "chose" (moved within 10 cm of a speaker) between a call with standard frequency peaks of 1.1 + 2.2 kHz and one of the nine alternative calls. Preliminary results indicate the preferred frequencies appeared to remain 1.1 + 2.2 kHz at lower temperatures. However, at higher temperatures, female frogs were more likely to approach high-frequency calls. These results will be discussed in the context of known temperature-dependent physiological processes in the inner ear of frogs.NIH grant to H.C. Gerhard

Male phonotactic responses in gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) [abstract]

Abstract only availableFaculty Mentor: Dr. Sarah Humfeld, Biological SciencesMany anuran amphibians, better known as frogs and toads, use acoustic signals as a means of communication. Female frogs choose mates by moving towards males making a particular call (phonotaxis). Non-calling males, which have been termed satellites, may also associate with these calling males as a result of male-male competition for mates.  My project addressed the question of whether male frogs have phonotactic preferences similar to those of females.  Most Hyla versicolor females prefer calls with a faster-than-average call rate, longer-than-average call duration and low frequency.  My main goal was to verify whether H. versicolor males demonstrate phonotactic behavior, and if so, to determine whether they have preferences similar to females.  I also wanted to learn if non-calling males were inferior to calling males.  I used two methods to answer these questions. During field observations, H. versicolor males (calling and non-calling) were weighed, their calls recorded and body temperature taken. We found no evidence to indicate that non-calling males are smaller or produce less attractive calls than callers. In laboratory phonotaxis experiments, synthetic signals from two speakers were played and the successive movements of individual males were observed. The results indicated that H. versicolor males express phonotactic responses and also have acoustic preferences, which are similar to female preferences. Fourteen of 22 males moved within 20cm of a speaker, and most of these (13) chose the call with characteristics favored by females. Based on these results we speculate that the ability of males to recognize attractive calls may maximize the reproductive success of satellite males

Near-synchronous calling in the hip-pocket frog Assa darlingtoni

Sustained perfect synchrony of signal production by animals is unrealistic, but even near-synchronous signalling is extremely rare. Near-synchronous signalling has been documented in some orthopteran insects and fireflies, and one kind of frog. This study provides observations and analyses of sustained bouts of impressive near-synchronous calling by a terrestrial breeding frog from Australia, the hip-pocket frog (Assa darlingtoni). Males called in scattered clusters of several individuals from the rainforest floor of northern New South Wales. In eight of nine pairs of semi-isolated males, there was sustained near-synchronous calling in bouts consisting of 16–20 calls and lasting 5–10 min. There was extensive overlap of the pulsed calls, and calls of a lagging male began overlapping that of a leading male after 2–5 pulses of a leader’s call note. In five pairs, one male’s calls were usually in the leading position; in three pairs, leadership frequently switched between males. In the latter interactions, males frequently skipped a call and produced its next call or calls in the leading position. This tactic has been interpreted as sexual competition between neighbours in orthopterans, but further research is required to rule out possible alternative hypotheses

Near-synchronous calling in the hip-pocket frog Assa darlingtoni

Sustained perfect synchrony of signal production by animals is unrealistic, but even near-synchronous signalling is extremely rare. Near-synchronous signalling has been documented in some orthopteran insects and fireflies, and one kind of frog. This study provides observations and analyses of sustained bouts of impressive near-synchronous calling by a terrestrial breeding frog from Australia, the hip-pocket frog (Assa darlingtoni). Males called in scattered clusters of several individuals from the rainforest floor of northern New South Wales. In eight of nine pairs of semi-isolated males, there was sustained near-synchronous calling in bouts consisting of 16–20 calls and lasting 5–10 min. There was extensive overlap of the pulsed calls, and calls of a lagging male began overlapping that of a leading male after 2–5 pulses of a leader’s call note. In five pairs, one male’s calls were usually in the leading position; in three pairs, leadership frequently switched between males. In the latter interactions, males frequently skipped a call and produced its next call or calls in the leading position. This tactic has been interpreted as sexual competition between neighbours in orthopterans, but further research is required to rule out possible alternative hypotheses

Temporal order and the evolution of complex acoustic signals

The evolution of complex signals may be favoured by hidden preferences or pre-existing sensory biases. Females of two species of grey treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis and Hyla versicolor) were tested with combinations of a conspecific advertisement call and acoustic appendages. Appendages consisted of aggressive calls and segments of advertisement calls from conspecific males and males of three other species and bursts of filtered noise. When a wide variety of these acoustic appendages followed the advertisement call, the resulting compound signal was often more attractive than the same advertisement call alone. When the same appendages led advertisement calls, however, the compound signal was never more attractive and sometimes less attractive. The order effect was especially strong in tests of H. versicolor in which advertisement-call duration was decreased. These results cannot be explained by a general pre-existing bias for extra stimulation per se. Rather, order and other effects may constrain the evolution and subsequent modification of complex and extravagant signals, examples of which have been reported for a wide range of taxa