White-edged cowards: high-pitched treefrogs will be attacked by those with orange legs

Author(s)

Reboucas, Raoni

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BEHAVIOUR; v. 160, n. 1, p. 25-pg., 2023-12-01.

Abstract

Anurans are one of the most diverse groups of animals, with single and multi-modal communica-tion forms commonly used to settle disputes over territory and to attract females. Thus, I aimed to evaluate if male white-edged treefrogs tend to attack smaller individuals and which morphometric factor is related to it. Advertisement calls of this species were recorded and used in a four-choice experiment with the emission of artificially designed calls. I evaluated which speaker individuals approached and if morphometric variables could predict it. I observed that individuals approached significantly more often towards the high-pitched call than other treatments, and the frequency to do so was predicted by the extension of orange colour in their legs. These results indicate that smaller individuals are actively excluded from calling sites. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/25358-3 - The chytrid fungus: from its origins to its consequences
• Grantee: Luis Felipe de Toledo Ramos Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/18335-5 - Passive air transportation of an amphibian lethal pathogen in high elevation sites: practical applications for protected areas conservation in the State of São Paulo
• Grantee: Luis Felipe de Toledo Ramos Pereira
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants