Physalaemus cuvieri Fitzinger, 1826

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 : 64

Physalaemus cuvieri Fitzinger, 1826

We found a single call type for the species, referred to as call A. The call is composed of a single harmonic note, usually with a triangular envelope that resembles an arrow-like shape. It has a general downward FM, with an updownward FM segment in the first half of the call and a short upward FM segment at the end. Subharmonics are always present in the first half of the call.

Call A ( Fig. 32 A–V and 33A). We examined 75 recordings, a total of 94 minutes, with ca. 10200 calls from 228 males. Only some of these calls were measured (see Table 2 ). Call duration varies from 0.257 to 0.311 s. The envelope is very variable ( Fig. 32A , C–G, M–Q). In most calls, the limits between the call rise, sustain and call fall are not clear. The ratio between call rise and fall duration, and their shape, are highly variable. Most calls have a fall longer than rise, or both have the same duration. Their shape varies from exponential to linear or logarithmic. The call rise has two consecutive exponential parts, the first shorter than the second. The sustain, when present, is irregular, usually composed of a shallow or deep valley (i.e., with a concave shape; Fig. 32A, C, D, G, M, Q ). The amplitude peak is usually before the middle of the call duration. The envelope varies from elliptic ( Fig. 32A, C, D, N, O, P, Q ) to triangular (pointed right; Fig. 32E, M ). Due to the concave shape of the sustain, the triangular envelope of some calls resembles an arrow. More than 50 % of the call energy is concentrated in 20 % of the call duration around the amplitude peak. There is no PAM in the call. The call has a harmonic series ( Fig. 33A ). The fundamental frequency is ca. 650 Hz and approximately the first seven harmonics are emphasized. The wave periods are regular and harmonics are clear throughout the call. Subharmonics (f 0 1/2) are present in ca. the first half of all calls examined (this part can be shorter or longer than one half of the call duration; Fig. 32B , H–L, R–V). The dominant frequency varies from ca. 690 to 780 Hz ( Fig. 32B ). The dominant harmonic is the first or second (at the very end of the call), but it is usually the first. There is a clear shift in the relative energy among bands. Although there is no shift in the dominant frequency, the higher bands get more energy toward the end of the call ( Fig. 32K, L, T, V ). Most of the call energy is between 500 and 1300 Hz (one or two harmonics). The call has a general downward FM ( Fig. 32B , H–L, R–V). Additionally, the calls have an up-downward FM in the first half of the call duration, forming arc-shaped bands in this part of the call, and a short upward FM at the end ( Fig. 32B , H–L, R–V). The general downward FM and the initial up-downward FM result in S-shaped harmonics when considering the entire call. There is no PFM.

Figures

FIGURE 32. Call A of Physalaemus cuvieri. Oscillograms (A, C–G, and M–Q) and audiospectrograms (B, H–L, and R–V). A single typical call A (A and B). Variant calls A with different envelopes and spectral features (C–V). Horizontal scale bars have 0.1 s; vertical scale bars have 1 kHz. Filter bandwidth (Hz): 106.0 (U); 69.0 (T); 115.0 (V); 84.6 (B and I); 78.9 (L and R); 92.1 (J, K, S, and H).

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).