What is it about?
When multiple signalers coincide in time and space their signals overlap hampering localization of a particular signaler by the receiver, a problem known as the cocktail-party effect. Nonetheless, signalers and receivers have evolved traits that improve localization in this situation. If we think of acoustic signalers, specific call features (e.g., complex, loud, short elements added at the beginning of the call) can increase the ease with which the call is detected in a noisy environment. Selective attention by the receivers and special signal processing systems can be also at play. In this research, I addressed the relevance of the chuck, an opportunistic element in the call of males of Physalaemus pustulosus, to enhance signal localization in complex acoustic conditions. I simulated a gradient of increased acoustic complexity by presenting females (receivers) with antiphonal, abutting and overlapping calls with or without 1 or 2 chucks. I tested the hypothesis that the effect of call overlap can be reduced when the calls of one of the two rivals have chucks, specifically more chucks than those of the rival. In non-cocktail-party situations, females prefer calls with ore chucks but the preference is not linear: females do not discriminate between 1 and 2 chucks, but do between 1and 3 or more. In addition, when calls lack chucks, call overlap results in random female preferences.
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Why is it important?
This research helps to understand why males produce two-chuck calls at all and to further investigate the role of chucks in male mating success and female attraction. I found that the preference for one chuck over no chuck was preserved in all the experimental treatments, but when a call with 2 chucks preceded a call with one chuck, either overlapped or abutted, a preference existed for the whine with more chucks. Therefore, an interaction between call order and the number of chucks was obtained. The results only partially supported the hypothesis, and call order emerges as an opportunistic component of signaling in P. pustulosus.
Perspectives
I hope this research offers new insights into the communication system of P. pustulosus specifically, competition for call order remains to be addressed in future investigations. Personally, I was surprised by the results because extensive research has been performed with this species before.
Dr Zaida Tárano
Universidad Central de Venezuela
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Choosing a Mate in a Cocktail Party-Like Situation: The Effect of Call Complexity and Call Timing between Two Rival Males on Female Mating Preferences in the Túngara FrogPhysalaemus pustulosus, Ethology, April 2015, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/eth.12387.
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