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Hybridization Of Human Courtship Behavior Among Anurans

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Amphibians are cold-blooded animals that contain unique structures in their bodies and have engaged in behavioral mechanisms allowing them to survive and reproduce for millions of years. Amphibians skin is extremely thin and possess glands which secrete toxins as a defense mechanism against predators (Daly, 1995). Colour patterns on the skin serves for predator defense, mating, and ultraviolet (UV) light protection (Qvarnström, Rudh 2013). In order to ensure survival and reproduction, their behaviour must compensate for their body structure. Because amphibians are cold blooded and require a constant moist skin, they lay their eggs around bodies of water to maximize survival. Courtship behaviour is initiated with mating calls or through the …show more content…

Therefore, it is very common for anurans to place eggs in water though external fertilization. Male anurans gather around bodies of water during breeding, and engage in either prolonged or explosive breeding (Wells, 1977). Hybridization of different species is prevented due to distinct mating calls and pheromones which anurans of the same species can detect (Wells, 1977). Prolonged breeding consists of males often waiting in a fixed position to attract females and lasts longer (more than a month) than explosive breeding (days to a few weeks). Prolonged breeding is territorial and therefore males battle for specific mating areas by engaging in competition. Explosive breeding usually contains high density of anurans in a specific area (usually aquatic). This causes males to engage in a “scramble competition”, where the goal is to engage in amplexus from one anuran (regardless of gender) to the next until a perfect “fit” is made with the females (Wells, …show more content…

Their thin glandular skin secretes toxins against predators to increase survival. Colour patterns allowed amphibians to be concealed within the environment to prevent predation, and to select potential mates (Qvarnström, Rudh 2013). Melanin rich pigment found in eggs and larvae helped to prevent UV-B damage (Qvarnström, Rudh 2013). Breeding is often signaled by chemical cues (pheromones) and mating calls. Breeding time can be rapid and last for days to a few weeks (explosive breeding) or last longer than a month (prolonged breeding) (Wells,

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