Mating signal partitioning in multi‐species assemblages: a null model test using frogs

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1461-0248.2003.00420.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-11T19:16:07Z
• Authors: Andrew A. Chek; James P. Bogart; Stephen C. Lougheed
• Keywords: Null model; SIGNAL (programming language); Replicate

Abstract Competitive partitioning of ‘community’ signal space has long been suggested to underlie diversification mating signals. Selection or competitive exclusion is expected reduce overlap signals, minimizing destructive interference reducing mismating. We used null models backed by simulation type I and II error rates test for evidence structuring within 11 frog advertisement call assemblages. Within three assemblages, we found significant over‐dispersion regularity‐of‐spacing in dominant frequency pulse rate, consistent with a hypothesis confusion hypothesis, respectively. Observed could represent evolution result from selection on assemblage composition. Most assemblages showed no acoustic possibly because: (i) more readily apparent female preference, calling times sites, rather than attributes; (ii) have not yet accommodated recently arrived species, are compositionally unstable so that accommodation cannot occur; (iii) only likely where the densely packed.