Guillermo S. Natale, Leandro Alcalde, Raul Herrera, Rodrigo Cajade, Eduardo
F. Schaefer, Federico Marangoni and Vance L. Trudeau (2010): Underwater
acoustic communication in the macrophagic carnivorous larvae of Ceratophrys
ornata (Anura: Ceratophryidae). Acta Zoologica, 92(1), 46-53.
Abstract: We provide the first evidence for sound production by anuran
larvae. In this study, we describe the sounds, their context-specific
emission and the structures related to sound production of the carnivorous
larvae of Ceratophrys ornata (Amphibia, Anura, Ceratophryidae). Tadpoles
emit a brief, clear and very audible metallic-like sound that consists of a
short train of notes that occur at all stages of larval development.
Tadpoles make sound only when a conspecific tadpole is preying upon it or
when touched by an object. Ceratophrys ornata larvae possess the basic
required anatomical structures for sound production via expulsion of
atmospheric air from the lungs through the open soft-tissue glottis. The
glottis is opened and closed via the larval laryngeal muscles (constrictor
laryngis and dilatator laryngis). The arytenoid cartilages appear at stage
40 and the cricoid cartilage does at stage 43. Adult laryngeal muscles
differentiate from the larval ones at stage 46 together with the vocal sac
formation from the adult interhyoideus muscle. We demonstrate (n = 2160
conspecific predator?prey interactions) that larval sounds occur always
under predatory attack, probably serving to diminish the chances of
cannibalism. These data raise the possibility that other macrophagic
carnivorous anuran larvae may produce sound.
URL:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1463-6395.2009.00445.x/abstract
For reprints please contact Guillermo S. Natale (email:
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