Allometric Constraint Predominates Over the Acoustic Adaptation Hypothesis in a Radiation of Neotropical Treefrogs

Male frogs emit stereotypical advertisement calls to attract mates and deter conspecific rivals. The evolution of these calls is thought to be linked to anatomical constraints and the acoustic characteristics of their surroundings. The acoustic adaptation hypothesis (AAH) posits that species evolve calls that maximize propagation distance and reduce signal degradation in the environment where they are emitted. We applied phylogenetic comparative analyses to study the association of body size, vegetation density, type of aquatic ecosystem, and calling site on the evolution of acoustic traits in Cophomantini, a large radiation of Neotropical treefrogs (Hylidae). We obtained and analyzed body size, acoustic, and habitat data from a total of 112 species (58% of Cophomantini), using the most inclusive available phylogeny. We found a significant negative correlation between peak frequency, body size, and calling site, but contrary to the predictions of the AAH, we did not find support for associations among call traits and environmental characteristics. Although spectral allometry is explained by an anatomical constraint, it could also be maintained by female choice. We recommend that future studies strive to incorporate factors such as female mate preferences, eavesdropping by predators or parasites, and genetic drift.

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Publication Details

Journal
Integrative Zoology
Published
2024-12-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12920
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.53

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article

Allometric Constraint Predominates Over the Acoustic Adaptation Hypothesis in a Radiation of Neotropical Treefrogs

Juan M. Guayasamin, Raúl Maneyro, Andressa M. Bezerra, Paulo D. P. Pinheiro et al.
3 citations
Integrative Zoology
Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
1.53
article

Allometric Constraint Predominates Over the Acoustic Adaptation Hypothesis in a Radiation of Neotropical Treefrogs

Juan M. Guayasamin, Raúl Maneyro, Andressa M. Bezerra, Paulo D. P. Pinheiro, Moisés Escalona, Philippe J. R. Kok, Thiago Ribeiro de Carvalho, Daniel Yudi Miyahara Nakamura, Pedro Ivo Simões, Fernando J. M. Rojas‐Runjaic, Pedro L. V. Peloso, Alejandro González‐Voyer, Juan C. Chaparro, Santiago Castroviejo‐Fisher, Mauricio Rivera‐Correa, Angela M. Mendoza‐Henao, Ignacio De la Riva, Belén Morales
article en
3 citations

Abstract

Male frogs emit stereotypical advertisement calls to attract mates and deter conspecific rivals. The evolution of these calls is thought to be linked to anatomical constraints and the acoustic characteristics of their surroundings. The acoustic adaptation hypothesis (AAH) posits that species evolve calls that maximize propagation distance and reduce signal degradation in the environment where they are emitted. We applied phylogenetic comparative analyses to study the association of body size, vegetation density, type of aquatic ecosystem, and calling site on the evolution of acoustic traits in Cophomantini, a large radiation of Neotropical treefrogs (Hylidae). We obtained and analyzed body size, acoustic, and habitat data from a total of 112 species (58% of Cophomantini), using the most inclusive available phylogeny. We found a significant negative correlation between peak frequency, body size, and calling site, but contrary to the predictions of the AAH, we did not find support for associations among call traits and environmental characteristics. Although spectral allometry is explained by an anatomical constraint, it could also be maintained by female choice. We recommend that future studies strive to incorporate factors such as female mate preferences, eavesdropping by predators or parasites, and genetic drift.

Integrative ZoologyVol. 20(4)
Smithsonian Institution (US), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (BR), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (BR), Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (BR), American Museum of Natural History (US), National Museum of Natural History (US), Universidade de São Paulo (BR), Universidad de la República de Uruguay (UY), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (BR), Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute (CO), National University of Saint Anthony the Abbot in Cuzco (PE), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (BR), University of Łódź (PL), Universidad de Antioquia (CO), Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (ES), Instituto Vital Brazil (Brazil) (BR), Universidad Andina del Cusco (PE), Instituto de Ecología (MX), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (BR), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (EC), Universidad de Sevilla (ES), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (MX), California State Polytechnic University (US)
Smithsonian Institution, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Junta de Andalucía, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
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Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
1.53
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