Whispering to the Deaf: Communication by a Frog without External Vocal Sac or Tympanum in Noisy Environments

2011

Communication by an Earless Frog in Noisy Environments

Sample size: 14 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Boistel Renaud, Aubin Thierry, Cloetens Peter, Langer Max, Gillet Brigitte, Josset Patrice, Pollet Nicolas, Herrel Anthony

Primary Institution: Centre de Neurosciences Paris-Sud (CNPS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris XI

How does the earless frog Atelopus franciscus communicate in a noisy environment despite lacking an external tympanum and vocal sac?

The earless frog Atelopus franciscus uses low intensity calls with specific pulse durations to communicate effectively in noisy environments.

Male A. franciscus can produce low intensity calls that propagate less than 8 meters.
The call structure is based on pulse duration, allowing discrimination from other frogs.
The middle-ear anatomy does not show adaptations for sound reception despite the lack of an external tympanum.
Ambient noise levels were measured at 57.09 dB along the river bank and 52 dB in the undergrowth.

This frog can talk to its friends even though it can't hear well and lives in a noisy place by using special sounds that travel short distances.

The study involved analyzing the vocal apparatus, call structure, sound propagation, and conducting playback experiments.

The study was limited to specific environmental conditions and may not account for all variables affecting communication.

Males of the species Atelopus franciscus were studied.

p<0.001

p<0.05

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