Answer to Question #143021 in Zoology for RamC

Question

Amphibians were the early vertebrate communicators by sound on land. Discuss all aspects concerning the characteristics and functions of the advertisement call of Anura.

Answer 1

Males of many species of anurans alternate calls with those of their neighbors in a chorus. This pattern of calling reduces signal interference and may:

1) facilitate intermale spacing because males can better gauge the intensity of neighbors' calls if these calls do not overlap with their own;

2) help preserve species-specific temporal information in calls required to attract females;

3) make it easier for females to localize males in the chorus.