Female preferences for dominant frequency in frogs: constraints and impact on sexual size dimorphism

Abstract

Ambotuy

Favoring males’ specific sexual signals, female preferences play a major role in frogs’ evolutionary process by selecting traits linked to those signals. However, the factors constraining and determining those preferences are scarcely explored in an evolutionary background. Here, through a phylogenetic comparative approach we check whether anuran species phylogenetic proximity and calling site predicts female preferences for dominant frequency and whether those preferences influence species sexual size dimorphism. Our hypotheses are as follows: 1) closer species have similar females’ preferences related to the dominant frequency of the partners’ calls; 2) the calling site influences sound propagation and consequently the preference of females for the dominant frequency of the males’ calls; and 3) the preference for calls with low dominant frequency influences the size of the males and consequent reduction of the biSased dimorphism for females. We did not find support for our hypotheses, neither for the influence of phylogenetic proximity nor for calling site determining these preferences. Moreover, female preferences did not impact on species sexual size dimorphism. Besides shedding light into our hypotheses, this study represents a considerable advance on evolutionary studies of female preferences in anura, which still lacks broad species comparative approaches. Furthermore, we suggest future studies to expand knowledge regarding frogs’ female preferences.

Significance statement

This study advances our comprehension of female preferences in frogs by investigating the factors that shape these preferences and their implications for species sexual size dimorphism. Utilizing phylogenetic comparative methods, an approach rarely used in the context of anuran female preferences, this study represents a significant step in applying broad comparative approaches in this field. Highlighting the complex nature of mate choice and its relationship to morphology, soundscape, and phylogeny, we present important insights into evolutionary hypotheses related to female preferences. Lastly, we provide advice on how future studies could further explore this topic in a broader comparative framework while also discussing the limitations of available data on anuran mating preferences.