Environmental and phylogenetic aspects affect in different ways the acoustic niche of a frog community in southeastern Brazil

One of the most important resources for reproduction in frogs is the acoustic space since the advertisement call, which is mostly used to attract females, may suffer interference when the acoustic space is widely filled. Other important resources are calling sites and adequate climatic conditions. We analyzed herein three dimensions of the acoustic niche of anurans (advertisement calls, calling period, and calling sites). We recorded 11 calling species of frogs in a tropical community. Species richness was negatively related to temperature, and daily activity was positively related to humidity. We also observed a greater niche overlap than expected by chance in calling periods. These results indicate that the climatic conditions should act as an environmental filter, synchronizing the calling period. The calling site was not shared among species, and no clear pattern of substrate use was observed. Regarding the acoustic dimension, we observe a phylogenetic signal in the dominant frequency of advertisement calls. Hierarchical cluster analysis also indicated a congruence between acoustic distances and phylogenetic relationships. Therefore, the dominant frequency of advertisement calls was constrained by phylogenetic relationships, indicating that it affects the partitioning and use of acoustic resources, an important dimension in reproductive activity in anurans.

Automated summary

This study reveals that acoustic space, calling sites, and climatic conditions are important resources for reproduction in frogs. Climatic conditions act as an environmental filter, synchronizing the calling period. Calling sites are not shared among species, and the dominant frequency of advertisement calls is constrained by phylogenetic relationships.