Body size, habitat, and sexual selection affect call evolution in Cophomantini treefrogs (Anura: Hylidae: Hylinae)

Author(s)

Nakamura, Daniel Yudi Miyahara ; Escalona, Moises ; Pinheiro, Paulo Duraes Pereira

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society; v. N/A, p. 18-pg., 2024-03-23.

Abstract

Advertisement calls are emitted by anuran males to attract females or repel competitors. Call frequencies are coupled with the vocal apparatus and, thus, likely with body size due to allometric constraints. Physical properties of the habitat might affect the evolution of advertisement calls through natural selection, with high- and low-frequency calls expected in lotic and lentic environments, respectively. Conversely, call frequencies may be influenced by sexual selection because low-frequency sounds are predicted to be perceived as more intimidating in intrasexual competition and more attractive in female choice. In addition, although the evolution of dominant frequencies has been investigated in anurans, little is known about fundamental frequencies. Here we investigated whether body size, habitat, and sexual selection are associated with the evolution of dominant and fundamental frequencies of the vocalizations in the Neotropical hylid tribe Cophomantini, using phylogenetic comparative methods. We found that body size and habitat predict dominant frequency across the phylogeny, whereas only body size is correlated with fundamental frequency. Reproduction in lotic environments is plesiomorphic for the tribe, with changes to lentic environments concentrated in some Boana clades. Intensity of sexual selection is negatively correlated with dominant frequency in Bokermannohyla, in which low-frequency calls are expected under strong sexual selection. Our results illustrate how the interplay between body size, habitat, and sexual selection may affect the evolution of spectral traits. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/15425-0 - A multi-disciplinary approach to the study of amphibian diversification: phase 2
• Grantee: Taran Grant
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants - Phase 2
• FAPESP's process: 22/02789-0 - Lost biodiversity in the genomic age: contributions from historical DNA to the systematics of rare and extinct frogs
• Grantee: Daniel Yudi Miyahara Nakamura
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 18/18473-6 - Study of comparative anatomy and evolution of the prepollical spine in Anura (Chordata: Lissamphibia)
• Grantee: Paulo Durães Pereira Pinheiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 21/13764-5 - Filling the gaps for the spine-shaped prepollex in frogs: the carpal anatomy of Centrolenidae and Microhylidae (Chordata: Lissamphibia: Anura)
• Grantee: Paulo Durães Pereira Pinheiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor