Animal communication Tree-hole frogs exploit resonance effects

Animal mating calls that exert a comparatively high sound pressure propagate over greater distances and generally have greater attractive power. Here we show that calling male Bornean tree-hole frogs (Metaphrynella sundana) actively exploit the acoustic properties of cavities in tree trunks that are...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 2002-12, Vol.420 (6915), p.475-475
Main Authors: Lardner, Björn, bin Lakim, Maklarin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustics
Adaptation, Physiological
Air
Amphibians
Animal communication
Animals
Anura - physiology
Female
Freshwater
Frogs
Male
Metaphrynella sundana
Reptiles & amphibians
Sexual Behavior, Animal - physiology
Sound
Sound pressure
Trees
Vocalization, Animal - physiology
Water content
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Summary:Animal mating calls that exert a comparatively high sound pressure propagate over greater distances and generally have greater attractive power. Here we show that calling male Bornean tree-hole frogs (Metaphrynella sundana) actively exploit the acoustic properties of cavities in tree trunks that are partially filled with water and which are primarily used as egg-deposition sites. By tuning their vocalizations to the resonant frequency of the hole, which varies with the amount of water that it contains, these frogs enhance their chances of attracting females.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/420475a