Behavioural patterns, preference, and motivation of female midwife toads during phonotaxis tests

Bosch, Jaime, Marquez, Rafael, and Boyero, Luz (2003) Behavioural patterns, preference, and motivation of female midwife toads during phonotaxis tests. Journal of Ethology, 21 (1). pp. 61-66.

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Abstract

During two-speaker phonotaxis tests performed with female midwife toads (Alytes obstetricans and A. cisternasii), the occurrence of behavioural patterns tentatively considered to be associated with entering amplexus and making a mate choice was noted. The individual repeatability of choice was assessed as a measurement of reliability of female preference, and the individual repeatability of response was assessed as a measurement of the degree of female motivation. The tests were grouped in two categories, spectral and temporal, according to the acoustic variable addressed in the test. Females selecting the alternative chosen less often by the population responded less often in phonotaxis tests and thus could be less motivated. Female repeatability was significant for temporal tests, but not for spectral tests. The observation of behavioural patterns during phonotaxis tests appears to be a useful complement to mate choice studies in anurans.

Item ID: 8928
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1439-5444
Keywords: behavioural patterns; phonotaxis; midwife toads; Alytes obstetricans; Alytes cisternasii; mate choice
Date Deposited: 10 Mar 2010 04:54
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0608 Zoology > 060801 Animal Behaviour @ 50%
06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0603 Evolutionary Biology > 060304 Ethology and Sociobiology @ 50%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960807 Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 50%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960506 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Environments @ 50%
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