Hi Ross
I am not aware of any frog species that harmonize intentionally, but species
that engage in synchronous or alternating calling with conspecifics is quite
common (at least in the US). I have heard harmonization in American Toads which
was really striking, but my hunch is that the harmonization was an
epiphenomenon of body size, rather than something driven by selection.
Here is the recording:
http://naturerecordists.com/recordings/56
Do you happen to know what species of frog this was?
Best
David
> Hi to the group,
>
> About 5 years ago I spent a month on the banks of the Rio Dulce in Guatemala.
> It was april, hot & humid.
>
> Most evenings I sat out and marveled at the singing of what I assume were
> chorus frogs amongst the mangrove.
> The sound was extraordinary, the individuals within a group were not simply
> all making a similar type of sound, they were actively harmonizing.
>
> When a group achieved this, they would produce a soaring crescendo, setting
> off other nearby groups which would each harmonize on slightly different
> notes. The combined effect of these harmonics on a good evening was spell
> binding, one of my personal 7 wonders of the world.
>
> When I returned I was inspired to join this group and prepare for my eventual
> return to Guatemala with proper recording equipment. At the time I could only
> use the on-board mics of my lap-top, which did not work very well.
>
> I have listened to recodings of various chorus frogs since then, but have
> never heard the wonderful harmonising I remember.
>
> Would anyone like to comment on this, or perhaps confirm that I was hearing
> what I thought I was hearing, frogs actually singing together?
>
> Thanks
> Ross
>
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