Advertisement calls of two anuran amphibians, Rana tigrina and Tomopterna breviceps.

ABSTRACT

Rana tigrina and Tomopterna breviceps occur as sympatric species at Dharwad, India. Sexually mature males produce advertisement calls. The advertisement call of both the species consist of a number of calls produced in series forming a call group· Each call group of Rana tigrina comprises 10-40 calls, whereas that of Tomopterna breviceps consists 13-141 calls. Each call consists of a pulse group with variable number of pulses which lack pulse interval. Calls of both the species exhibit similarities in (i) call consisting of series of calls with a pulse group in each call, (ii) absence of pulse interval within the pulse group, (iii) the amplitude of the first pulse being always small, and (iv) the frequency spectrum beginning from 200 Hz. Based on the similarities in the spectral features of the calls, it is suggested that the two species may be closely related to each other.