Physalaemus cicada Bokermann, 1966

Hepp, Fábio & Pombal, José P., 2020, Review of bioacoustical traits in the genus Physalaemus Fitzinger, 1826 (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae), Zootaxa 4725 (1), pp. 1-106 : 68

Physalaemus cicada Bokermann, 1966

We found a single call type for the species, referred to as call A. The call is composed of a single harmonic note with an elliptic envelope and very short duration. It has a general downward FM, with an up-downward FM segment in the first half of the call ( Fig. 36B, F ). Calls are emitted in long sequences (more than 300 calls per sequence; Fig. 36C, D ).

Call A ( Fig. 36 A–G and 33D). We examined six recordings, a total of 13 minutes, with ca. 12500 calls from eight males. Only some of these calls were measured (see Table 2 ). Call duration varies from 0.004 to 0.047 s. The call rise and fall are similar in duration and shape (exponential). The sustain is short or absent. The envelope is elliptic ( Fig. 36A. E ). The amplitude peak is at around the end of the first two fifths of the call duration. More than 50 % of the call energy is concentrated in 24 % of the call duration around the amplitude peak. There is no PAM in the call. The call has a harmonic series ( Fig. 33D ). The fundamental frequency is ca. 410 Hz and approximately the first ten harmonics (except the first one) are emphasized. The wave periods are regular and harmonics are clear throughout the call. The dominant frequency varies from ca. 1410 to 3560 Hz ( Fig. 33D , 36B ). The dominant harmonic varies from the seventh to the 10 th, but it is usually the eighth. There is a clear shift in relative energy between bands; the dominant frequency gets higher toward the end of the call, starting at the seventh or eighth harmonic and ending at the eighth, ninth or 10 th ( Fig. 33D , 36F ). Most of the call energy is between 950 and 3850 Hz (eight harmonics). The call has a general downward FM ( Fig. 36B, F ). Additionally, calls have an up-downward FM in the first half of the call duration, yielding arc-shaped bands in this part of the call, and a short downward FM at the end ( Fig. 36B, F ). The general downward FM and the initial up-downward FM result in S-shaped harmonics when considering the entire call ( Fig. 36F ). There is no PFM. Calls are usually emitted in series, resulting in long call sequences of ca. 400 calls in each sequence ( Fig. 36C, D, E, F ).

Figures

FIGURE 33. Multiplicity relationship between “instantaneous” dominant frequency and w of calls A of eight Physalaemus species. Each graph shows a single call A of P. cuvieri (A), P. ephippifer (B), P. fischeri (C), P. cicada (D), P. aguirrei (E), P. soaresi (F), P. maximus (G), P. feioi (H). Grid corresponds to the harmonic values (right y-axis). Red squares are the values of “instantaneous” dominant frequency; blue circles are the values of the reciprocal of w; green triangles are the factor values of the ratio “instantaneous” dominant frequency / w reciprocal per delta time. Delta time corresponds to the duration of one period of the measured acoustic oscillation. Note that factors around integer values suggest harmonic relationship between the frequency calculated (w reciprocal) and the dominant frequency. Factors multiple of ½ of the fundamental frequency correspond to subharmonics (see P. ephippifer; B).

FIGURE 36. Call A of Physalaemus cicada. Oscillograms (A, C, and E) and audiospectrograms (B, D, and F). A single call A (A and B). A long sequence with hundreds of calls (C–D). Sequence with 12 calls A (E–F). Horizontal scale bars have 0.025 s (C and D) and 0.05 s (E and F); vertical scale bars have 1 kHz. Filter bandwidth (Hz): 173 (B); 67.4 (D); 135 (F).