ABSTRACT
Anurans are highly vocal animals, and acoustic signals are produced in a diversity of social contexts. This chapter gives an overview of the current knowledge on acoustic communication in anurans, and identifies areas of research that need more attention. The different types of anuran vocalizations are described, and examples are given. Because the vast majority of anuran acoustic communication is reproductive, the behavioral ecology of acoustic advertisement is explored further. In order to fully evaluate the impact of environmental conditions on acoustic communication, an understanding of its underlying physiology is needed. The morphological and physiological mechanisms underlying call production and hearing in anurans are thus briefly presented. Call diversity across the Anura and the causes and consequences of inter- and intraspecific variation in anurans’ advertisement calls are then described. Finally, the present and future of anuran acoustic communication in an environment ever-more altered by human activities is discussed.
