ACOUSTIC INTERFERENCE IN ANURAN CALL:STIMULUS-RESPONSE IN Hypsiboas pulchellus (ANURA,HYLIDAE)

SALINERO, M.C.; GRENAT, PABLO R.; BARAQUET, MARIANA; SALAS, NANCY E.; MARTINO, ADOLFO L.

BIOCELL

INST HISTOL EMBRIOL-CONICET

Lugar: San Juan; Año: 2011 vol. 35 p. 235 - 235

0327-9545

Changes in vocal production of a male in response to other male calls are common, especially when the density of callers is high. In this study, we measured the vocal responses of H. pulchellus males to different acoustic stimuli from other males. Experimental session was conducted in situ. Series of experimental stimuli were emitted from a speaker located about 50-80 cm in front of each individual. To record the responses from the beginning to the end of the call, the recorder was positioned 50 cm away from the focal male. Throughout the procedure, each male was filmed to analyze their behavioral responses. Acoustic analysis showed an alteration in the song of the focal male post-stimulus relative to its pre-stimulus call, mainly by modifying the call rate. We observed a decrease or increase of the inter-call duration or an alteration in duration within the block of each call, with variations in the note duration or in the interval between notes. In all cases, focal males responded by increasing or decreasing its call rate to accompany the stimulus. The responses to those stimuli were the basis for testing the hypothesis that males of H. pulchellus could significantly change their pattern of calls, depending on the source of noise interference to which they are subjected.