Complex vocal responses to conspecific playbacks in whistling frogs Eleutherodactylus johnstonei

What is it about?

We analyzed male vocal competition in Eleutherodactylus johnstonei by broadcasting playbacks of known characteristics to males in their terrotories. Males showed fixed responses with regards to modifications in the domiant frequency of their responses (fixed modification regardless the characteristics fo the playback) and flexible responses (selective reponses) with regards to modifications of call duration and rate. Specifically, males only modified their calling output when faced with acoustically attractive playbacks for females. We explained these diferences in response asstrategic decisions.

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Why is it important?

Modification of call dominant frequency is relatively uncommon among anurans and also in call duration in non-pulsed calls. On the other hand, modfications of call rate were not in the direction expected by female preferences indicating a trade-off between increasing call attractiveness and avcoiding call interference, the later being more important in this species.

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