Investigating the Role of Male Calling in Túngara Frog Courtship within Close-Range Interactions
Poster Number
42
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Marcos Gridi-Papp
Research or Creativity Area
Natural Sciences
Abstract
Amphibians exhibit diverse reproductive strategies, and acoustic signaling in anuran mating systems is traditionally seen as a mechanism for mate attraction. However, recent observations suggest that male calling may also act as a neuroendocrine trigger to precondition females for oviposition. This study examines whether male túngara frog calls serve only to attract a mate into clasping range or if they also facilitate reproductive synchronization. To address this, we conducted experiments placing male-female pairs in small, isolated breeding enclosures under two conditions: (1) a control group with no additional auditory stimuli and (2) an experimental group exposed to continuous playback of male advertisement calls. Time-lapse photography and behavioral scoring were used to document courtship interactions. Ongoing research will test whether males adjust their calling in response to playback when a female is at close range, providing insight into the potential dual role of advertisement calls in the túngara frog’s courtship.
Location
University of the Pacific, DeRosa University Center
Start Date
26-4-2025 10:00 AM
End Date
26-4-2025 1:00 PM
Investigating the Role of Male Calling in Túngara Frog Courtship within Close-Range Interactions
University of the Pacific, DeRosa University Center
Amphibians exhibit diverse reproductive strategies, and acoustic signaling in anuran mating systems is traditionally seen as a mechanism for mate attraction. However, recent observations suggest that male calling may also act as a neuroendocrine trigger to precondition females for oviposition. This study examines whether male túngara frog calls serve only to attract a mate into clasping range or if they also facilitate reproductive synchronization. To address this, we conducted experiments placing male-female pairs in small, isolated breeding enclosures under two conditions: (1) a control group with no additional auditory stimuli and (2) an experimental group exposed to continuous playback of male advertisement calls. Time-lapse photography and behavioral scoring were used to document courtship interactions. Ongoing research will test whether males adjust their calling in response to playback when a female is at close range, providing insight into the potential dual role of advertisement calls in the túngara frog’s courtship.
