Aspects of reproduction in the leaf-foldind frog afrixalus delicatus

Abstract

This work examines aspects of sexual reproduction in the previously littlestudied Leaf-foldillg Frog, A£rixalus dellcatus, The taxonomic status of this species was determined using the Mate Recognition System to deUmJt the species boundary. Male social behaviour was investigated with particular reference to. the structure and functional partitioning of the twopart advertisement call; the maintenance of intermale spacing and the effects of chorus size on the sp'atial separation of males; chorus organisation; call site selecticn and fidelity to. call sites. The climatic factors influencing male behaviour were also examined. The mating success of calling and satellite males was determined and the possible causes of the variation in mating success were examined. Female behavioul' was also extensively studied, Females were found to produce a .$xnall numbel' of large eggs tI1at are protected in leaf nests. Oviposition site rf¥tq~em;(;;lntswere detertnined, and the concentration of nests examined. "~~l~a1ti;ll>ll ·Sl'P!OO'$$$ Wlll;S fou'DiGi'tobe lligh. Some females were found to be llol~atl:d~(;)llS, ma:~r:tfgwit~ up to three nl,ales. The behaviour of females in the 'cl.mQ~t:tsW~ observed andfemales were round to generally mate with one of the nearw ma1$s irrespective of morphology or behaviour. The potential and actual a,,(lcutacyormata loc.alisation was determined. This study of a species' mating system and its flexibility in relation to eeclogleal, ph1~o.1~~td and social pressures' allowed for a more thorough understanding oi anlllrtUl.rep:tod~etive behavlour and its evtiiution.