The advertisement calls of Pristimantis galdi Jimenez de la Espada, 1870 and Pristimantis katoptroides (Flores, 1988) (Anura, Strabomantidae)

In this study we describe for the first time the calls of Pristimantis galdi and Pristimantis katoptroides. Recordings were obtained in Sangay National Park, Ecuador. We highlight the importance of recording P. galdi since its call has been recorded after 153 years of having been described as a species. The call of P. galdi consists of 7 to 9 short notes, the sounds of which are similar to a hammer hitting a nail, with a mean dominant frequency of 2.39 kHz. In turn, the call of P. katoptroides consists of a single note, the sound of which is similar to a metallic tic, with a mean dominant frequency of 1.74 kHz. We compared the advertisement calls of P. galdi, P. katoptroides and P. roni as these species share similar morphological characteristics and are grouped in the spiny green frog's ecotype. Despite these morphological similarities, their advertisement calls are different. Obtaining calls of Pristimantis species in Ecuador might prove difficult with short-term studies due to the great sampling efforts that may be needed to get these recordings. Therefore, implementing active and passive monitoring could help improve our knowledge of acoustic signals in Ecuador's rainfrogs.

Automated summary

In this study, the calls of Pristimantis galdi and Pristimantis katoptroides are described for the first time. Recordings were obtained in Sangay National Park, Ecuador. The importance of recording P. galdi is emphasized as its call had not been recorded for 153 years since it was described as a species. The call of P. galdi consists of 7 to 9 short notes resembling a hammer hitting a nail, with a mean dominant frequency of 2.39 kHz. On the other hand, the call of P. katoptroides is a single note resembling a metallic tic, with a mean dominant frequency of 1.74 kHz. Despite morphological similarities, their advertisement calls are different. Obtaining calls of Pristimantis species in Ecuador might be challenging with short-term studies, thus active and passive monitoring could aid in improving our understanding of acoustic signals in Ecuador's rainfrogs.