@article {57997, title = {Variation in Bioacoustic Characteristics in Eleutherodactylus coqui Thomas, 1966 and Eleutherodactylus antillensis (Reinhardt and Lutken, 1863) (Anura: Eleutherodactylidae) in the Puerto Rico Bank}, year = {2019}, abstract = {

Bioacoustics is an interdisciplinary science that combines biology, acoustics, and mathematics. This discipline can be used to study population ecology and behavior. Furthermore, we can use this tool to assess a population and suggest if a species of interest may be in a transitional state of becoming a new species by allopatric speciation. Amphibians communicate via sound and the environment has a key role in metabolism and sound dispersion. By analyzing temporal and spectral properties of acoustical communication in anurans, we can understand better how these animals are evolving to cope with their ever-changing environment. We studied the variation in acoustic parameters among five populations each of the red-eye coqui, Eleutherodactylus antillensis (Reinhardt and Lutken, 1863) and the common coqui, E. coqui Thomas, 1966 across the Puerto Rico Bank. These species are changing their vocalizations. Some populations have higher sound frequencies than other conspecific populations; other nocturnal species have populations with different temporal patterns of sound production. We found strong variation among the five populations examined for each species. In, E. antillensis, the size of the organism relates to temporal variation in sound production (i.e., inter-note interval and total call duration) and did not relate to spectral differentiation. In E. coqui, the population living at highest elevation above sea level assessed had a spectral footprint no other population shares, probably due to geographic isolation from other conspecific populations that live in lower elevations.

}, keywords = {bioacoustics, communication, Eleutherodactylus, Eleutherodactylus antillensis, Eleutherodactylus coqui, microevolution, Puerto Rico, sound spectrogram, speciation}, doi = {10.9784/LEB7(2)Rios.01}, author = {Alejandro R{\'\i}os-Franceschi and Rafael L. Joglar and Richard Thomas} } @article {57911, title = {On the Uncertain Taxonomic Identity of Adenomera hylaedactyla (Cope, 1868) and the Composite Type Series of A. andreae (M{\"u}ller, 1923) (Anura, Leptodactylidae)}, journal = {Copeia}, volume = {107}, year = {2019}, month = {Jan-11-2019}, pages = {708}, abstract = {

Adenomera andreae and A. hylaedactyla are two widespread Amazonian frogs that have been traditionally distinguished from each other by the use of different habitats, toe tip development, and more recently through advertisement calls. Yet, taxonomic identification of these species has always been challenging. Herein we undertake a review of type specimens and include new phenotypic (morphology and vocalization) and mitochondrial DNA information for an updated diagnosis of both species. Our morphological analysis indicates that the single type (holotype) of A. hylaedactyla could either belong to lineages associated with Amazonian forest-dwelling species (A. andreae clade) or to the open-formation morphotype (A. hylaedactyla clade). Given the holotype\&$\#$39;s poor preservation, leading to the ambiguous assignment of character states for toe tip development, as well as a vague type locality encompassing a vast area in eastern Ecuador and northern Peru, the identity of this specimen is uncertain. Morphology of toe tip fragments and the original species description suggest that A. hylaedactyla could correspond to at least two described species (A. andreae or A. simonstuarti) or additional unnamed genetic lineages of the A. andreae clade, all bearing toe tips expanded into discs. Analysis of morphometric data, however, clustered the holotype with the Amazonian open-formation morphotype (toe tips unexpanded). While additional data can be obtained from the holotype of A. hylaedactyla, at this time this type cannot be unequivocally assigned to any species of Adenomera distributed across eastern Ecuador and Peru\&$\#$39;s northernmost region of Loreto. For the time being, the name A. hylaedactyla still accommodates the only Amazonian open-habitat species. As to the type series of Adenomera andreae, a forest-associated species with toe tips fully expanded (developed into small discs) from eastern Brazilian Amazonia, we found that one of its paratypes shares a morphotype with the open-habitat species and is reassigned to A. hylaedactyla. With the taxonomic identity of A. hylaedactyla unresolved, formal descriptions of cryptic species complexes within the A. andreae clade distributed across the type locality of A. hylaedactyla run the risk of a possible future synonymization with A. hylaedactyla. Yet, not naming more circumscribed and potentially threatened cryptic species puts them at risk, as they would probably not qualify for conservation funding. Given the current fire crisis in the Amazon Basin, the risk of losing species before they are described far outweighs the risk of synonymization. We recommend that researchers prioritize descriptions based on the potential extinction risk of new species.

}, doi = {10.1643/CH-19-237}, url = {https://bioone.org/journals/copeia/volume-107/issue-4/CH-19-237/On-the-Uncertain-Taxonomic-Identity-of-Adenomera-hylaedactyla-Cope-1868/10.1643/CH-19-237.full}, author = {Thiago R. De Carvalho and Giaretta, Ariovaldo A. and Maciel, Natan M. and Barrera, Diego A. and Aguilar-Puntriano, C{\'e}sar and Haddad, C{\'e}lio F. B. and Marcelo N. C. Kokubum and Menin, Marcelo and Angulo, Ariadne} } @article {57662, title = {A New Cryptic Species of the Adenomera andreae Clade from Southwestern Amazonia (Anura, Leptodactylidae)}, journal = {Herpetologica}, volume = {75}, year = {2019}, month = {Jan-09-2019}, pages = {233}, abstract = {

We describe a new Amazonian species of Adenomera that corresponds to one of the acoustic signals and morphs from Tambopata National Reserve (Adenomera \‘\‘Forest Call I\’\’) and to a confirmed candidate species (Adenomera sp. E) in the most recently published phylogeny for the genus. The new species is distinguished from all 19 described congeners by its unique advertisement call, consisting of a single multipulsed note, formed by 22\–35 partly fused pulses (greatest pulse number recorded for the genus among species with partly fused notes). The new species is further distinguished from most congeners in having toe tips expanded into small discs. Its distribution is associated with the Amazonian region encompassing western Brazil (state of Acre), southeastern Peru, and north-central Bolivia.

}, keywords = {Amazon rain forest, bioacoustics, biodiversity, integrative taxonomy, Leptodactylinae, Tambopata}, doi = {10.1655/D-18-00049}, url = {https://bioone.org/journals/herpetologica/volume-75/issue-3/D-18-00049/A-New-Cryptic-Species-of-the-Adenomera-andreae-Clade-from/10.1655/D-18-00049.full}, author = {Thiago R. De Carvalho and Angulo, Ariadne and Marcelo N. C. Kokubum and Barrera, Diego A. and De Souza, Mois{\'e}s B. and C{\'e}lio F. B. Haddad and Ariovaldo A. Giaretta} } @article {57646, title = {A new frog of the Leptodactylus fuscus species group (Anura: Leptodactylidae), endemic from the South American Gran Chaco}, journal = {PeerJ}, volume = {7}, year = {2019}, month = {Jan-01-2019}, pages = {e7869}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.7869}, url = {https://peerj.com/articles/7869}, author = {Schneider, Rosio G. and Dario E. Cardozo and Brusquetti, Francisco and Kolenc, Francisco and Borteiro, Claudio and C{\'e}lio F. B. Haddad and Basso, Nestor G. and Baldo, Diego} } @article {57551, title = {Synchronized mating signals in a communication network: the challenge of avoiding predators while attracting mates}, year = {2019}, abstract = {

Conspicuous mating signals attract mates but also expose signallers to predators and parasites. Signal evolution, therefore, is driven by conflicting selective pressures from multiple receivers, both target and non-target. Synchronization of mating signals, for example, is an evolutionary puzzle, given the assumed high cost of reduced female attraction when signals over- lap. Synchronization may be beneficial, however, if overlapping signals reduce attraction of non-target receivers. We investigate how signal synchro- nization is shaped by the trade-off between natural and sexual selection in two anuran species: pug-nosed tree frogs (Smilisca sila), in which males pro- duce mating calls in near-perfect synchrony, and t\úngara frogs (Engystomops pustulosus), in which males alternate their calls. To examine the trade-off imposed by signal synchronization, we conducted field and laboratory play- back experiments on eavesdropping enemies (bats and midges) and target receivers (female frogs). Our results suggest that, while synchronization can be a general strategy for signallers to reduce their exposure to eavesdrop- pers, relaxed selection by females for unsynchronized calls is key to the evolution and maintenance of signal synchrony. This study highlights the role of relaxed selection in our understanding of the origin of mating signals and displays.

}, keywords = {acoustic communication, communication network, eavesdroppers, relaxed selection, synchrony}, doi = {10.1098/rspb.2019.1067}, url = {https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2019.1067}, author = {Legett, Henry D. and Rachel A. Page and Ximena E. Bernal} } @article {53584, title = {Environmental constraints on size-dependent signaling affects mating and rival interactions}, journal = {Behavioral Ecology}, year = {2019}, month = {Mar-02-2020}, abstract = {

Advertisement signals can convey information about a sender\’s characteristics, such as body size. The reliability of signals, however, can be reduced when signal production is partially dependent on the environment. Here, we assess the effect of display-site properties on the production, attractiveness and honesty of sexual signals. We recorded male t\úngara frogs (Physalaemus pustulosus) while manipulating water levels in order to constrain calling. We found that water level affected male call properties in a size-dependent manner, with call amplitude being less affected in smaller males when forced to call in shallow water. Next, we tested how size-dependent and display-site-dependent signaling affected female choice and rival competition. Both males and females showed the strongest response to the call of a large male when he was calling at the deepest water levels. However, females showed no preference for large over small males when both were recorded in shallow water levels, or, depending on the call rate and timing of calls, even preferred small males. Likewise, males responded equally to large and small rivals recorded calling during shallow water level trials. Our experiments show that display-site properties can influence signal production and attractiveness in a size-dependent manner. These results can have important consequences for the evolution of signaling, as small males may be able to use their size to their advantage when selecting appropriate display sites and thereby outcompete large males.

}, keywords = {display site, honest signaling, Physalaemus pustulosus, production constraints, sexual selection}, issn = {1045-2249}, doi = {10.1093/beheco/arz009}, url = {https://academic.oup.com/beheco/advance-article/doi/10.1093/beheco/arz009/5320523}, author = {Smit, Judith A H and Loning, Hugo and Halfwerk, Wouter} }