Unravelling male advertisement call variability in the brown tree frog (Litoria ewingii) complex by using citizen science

Australian Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 72(1)

Published: May 7, 2024

In the face of global biodiversity declines, conservation measures are urgently needed. However, our lack knowledge on species’ diversity, distributions and population trends presents a major obstacle, particularly for morphologically cryptic species. Field surveys to gather this information present logistical challenge, but rapid rise citizen science new opportunity, generating huge volumes data rapidly across range. We use from national citizen-science project document distribution advertisement call variability in group five conserved treefrogs. Using 542 male calls entire range species, we found considerable levels acoustic variation both among within Note shape, notes per positions longest shortest were most useful delineate Our research will assist species delineation identification field form basis more accurate understanding diversity brown tree frog complex. also demonstrated utility documenting diversity.

Language: Английский

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A new Leptobrachella species (Anura, Megophryidae) from South China, with comments on the taxonomic status of L. chishuiensis and L. purpurus

Zoosystematics and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 98(1), P. 165 - 180

Published: June 3, 2022

A new species of Leaf Litter Toad, Leptobrachella shimentaina sp. nov. , is described from the Shimentai and Luokeng nature reserves northern Guangdong Province, southern China. The taxon can be distinguished all recognized congeners by a combination discrete morphological character state differences relating to its small body size (SVL 26.4–28.9 mm in six adult males, 30.1 30.7 two females); number apparently fixed color pattern (including eye coloration features dorsal, ventral, dorsolateral surfaces head, body, limbs, ventrum); characteristics external phenotype (the skin texture dorsum ventrum, presence supra-axillary ventrolateral glands, wide dermal fringes rudimentary webbing on toes, uninterrupted longitudinal ridges under toes). Two samples this previously were proposed as representing new, unnamed species. We now substantiate claim providing diagnostic comparisons differences. In addition, we also discuss taxonomic uncertainty surrounding identity congeners, L. chishuiensis purpurus which interpret indicative inflation species-rich subfamily Megophryidae.

Language: Английский

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Sounding Out Science: the Sonaphor and Electronic Sound Design as a Learning Tool in Secondary Science

Postdigital Science and Education, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 5(2), P. 408 - 439

Published: Aug. 24, 2022

Abstract The divergent use of digital technologies provides an important opportunity for students to develop critical and postdigital approaches learning. Despite the rising accessibility music technology, creatively composed sound is a relatively underexplored educational tool compared musical elements melody, rhythm, lyrics. Sound’s ability transfer spatial temporal information renders it transformative teaching Embracing interdisciplinary approach, our research explores possibility supplementing secondary science education with sound-based learning which interprets scientific concepts increase comprehension engagement. Building on existing ways in communicated through sound, we have developed Sonaphor (abbreviated from ‘sonic metaphor’). This article will outline capacity experimental electronic design engagement contexts ranging classrooms informal environments. We see potential as that reignites wonder curiosity science; combines creativity science, allowing learners interact with, create their own Sonaphors . Through exemplar , highlight proposed structure discuss importance harmonious script, dialogue, design. flexibility medium increasing ubiquity recording editing software presents become ‘living’ objects could be adapted by different narrators, designers, artists cultures, languages, syllabi, purposes build inclusivity communication.

Language: Английский

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Diversity of Water Frogs Pelophylax spp. in Turkey: Do Mating Vocalizations Mirror Nominal Taxon Delimitation?

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(11), P. 1725 - 1725

Published: May 23, 2023

Informed conservation management requires exact knowledge on the species diversity of taxon group in focus within a geographic area, specifically occurrence endemics. In Turkey, there are three water frog taxa genus Pelophylax; one is widespread P. bedriagae, other two geographically restricted to either Thrace (P. ridibundus) or Anatolian Lake district caralitanus). The status Beyşehir caralitanus has been questioned since its proposal 2001. We recorded and analyzed advertisement release vocalizations at representative populations Pelophylax assess degree inter-taxon differentiation potential for premating isolation. found that bedriagae have much more similar than both compared ridibundus. A functional bioacoustic barrier between syntopy does not exist according our study. low mirrors earlier genetic, karyological, morphological findings. conclude frogs do deserve should be considered junior synonym bedriagae. Therefore, number endemic anuran Turkey decreases one.

Language: Английский

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Communication via Biotremors in the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus): Part I- Biotremor Production and Response to Substrate-Borne Vibrations

Integrative and Comparative Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 63(2), P. 484 - 497

Published: June 26, 2023

Biotremors are vibrations, usually surface waves along the boundary of a medium, produced by an organism. While substrate-borne vibrations utilized different reptile species, true conspecific communication via biotremors has not yet been demonstrated in lizards. Recent research revealed that veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) produces biotremors. The prerequisites for any system ability organism to produce and detect signal. We tested C. calyptratus behavioral responses placing them on dowel attached shaker, emitting 25, 50, 150, 300, 600 Hz compared their locomotory velocity before after stimulus. Adult chameleons exhibited freeze response 50 150 Hz, while juveniles similar frequencies between 300 Hz. In second experiment, were induced experimenter contact. These ranged mean fundamental frequency from 106.4 170.3 duration 0.06 0.29 s. Overall, two classes identified, "hoots" "mini-hoots," which differed significantly relative signal intensity (-7.5 -32.5 dB, respectively). Juvenile 2 months age able biotremors, suggesting this behavior may serve wide range ecological functions throughout ontogeny. data demonstrate can both could be used intraspecific communication.

Language: Английский

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What do we know about advertisement calls of Mexican anurans? A bibliographic review

Bioacoustics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(6), P. 601 - 621

Published: Aug. 2, 2023

ABSTRACTIn a fast-changing environment, it is important to keep track of biodiversity. In Mexico, new herpetofauna described every year. Vocalisations can portray ecological and evolutionary characteristics for better understanding species. Here, we lay out the current state knowledge on advertisement calls Mexican anurans, as well publication trends use metadata through an exhaustive literature review bibliometric analysis. We obtained 174 documents with call descriptions 58.4% anuran species published between 1940–2021. identified that most are distributed in Neotropics belong endemic endangered categories. Anuran publications frequently accompanied by associated data such relative humidity, frequency, or recording format. The mean number recorded per description was 12.568 (of 38). Although almost half have descriptions, several gaps, particularly degree information each contains. Furthermore, studies were performed outside Mexico foreign researchers, despite high level endemism country. highlight need more detailed researchers.KEYWORDS: VocalisationsanuransMexicoecoacousticsbioacousticscollections AcknowledgementsThis paper part requirements obtain master's from Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. thank Dr. Roberto Sosa-López Dra. Ella Vázquez-Domínguez their useful comments suggestions different stages review. first author SOF supported scholarship 1084793 granted National Council Science Technology (CONACyT). Brett Butler English proofing manuscript.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict interest reported author(s).Data availability statementThe support findings this study openly available database format website Fonoteca Sonidos Anfibios México Faculty Sciences, Autonomous University http://cantosanuros.fciencias.unam.mx/content/profile/publicaciones/Ordonez-Flores_etal_review_database.xlsx; DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.22659418.Supplementary materialSupplemental article be accessed online https://doi.org/10.1080/09524622.2023.2241046.Additional informationFundingThe work (CONACyT) [Master's 1084793].

Language: Английский

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