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Sexual selection in the Gray Tree Frog, Hyla versicolor: an integrated view of male-male competition and female choice in the field

Walton, Hilary Catherine

Abstract Details

2005, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology.

Although correlates to male calling effort have been identified previously in the gray tree frog, Hyla versicolor, the relative predictive strength and directionality of effect of a wide variety of factors has not been known. This has limited our understanding of the selection pressures operating on this form of endurance rivalry, which has constrained our understanding of how female choice operates in nature. By discovering a new selection pressure on male calls and demonstrating that it is correlated with a male mating advantage, a mechanism of female choice has been identified for the first time in nature in this species.

In the first part of this study, mixed models were used to investigate the effects of a diversity of factors on measures of male calling effort. For example, position on the pond periphery, condition, number of neighbors calling, date, and a change in barometric pressure were all found to significantly predict call duration. While this suggests diverse selective forces operate on male calling effort, the number of factors to which males actually respond appear limited. Because differences in response were found between call duration and intercall interval, selection likely acts with nuance across components of calling effort. These mixed models have also revealed a factor, position on the pond periphery, which has not previously been known to influence male calling effort.

In the second part of this study, the relationship between position on the pond periphery and male call length was studied in detail, particularly with regard to male mating success. Males calling from areas of the pond where males tended to make longer-than-average calls were more likely to be found in amplexus; however, males producing longer calls were not. This indicates that female choice in the field differs from female preferences in the laboratory. Females may use call length to identify areas of high quality males, rather than to discriminate between individuals. Males may use long calls to compete for areas with ideal sites, rather than to attract females directly. Quality of calling site may indicate seasonal calling behavior, whereas call length may indicate nightly calling behavior.

David Stetson (Advisor)
299 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Walton, H. C. (2005). Sexual selection in the Gray Tree Frog, Hyla versicolor: an integrated view of male-male competition and female choice in the field [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1133298654

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Walton, Hilary. Sexual selection in the Gray Tree Frog, Hyla versicolor: an integrated view of male-male competition and female choice in the field. 2005. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1133298654.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Walton, Hilary. "Sexual selection in the Gray Tree Frog, Hyla versicolor: an integrated view of male-male competition and female choice in the field." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1133298654

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)