Interaction mechanisms quantified from dynamical features of frog choruses

Abstract

We employ a mathematical model (a phase oscillator model) to describe the deterministic and stochastic features of frog choruses in which male frogs attempt to avoid call overlaps. The mathematical model with a general interaction term is identified using a Bayesian approach, and it qualitatively reproduces the stationary and dynamical features of the empirical data. In addition, we quantify the magnitude of attention paid among the male frogs from the identified model, and then analyse the relationship between attention and behavioural parameters using a statistical approach. Our analysis demonstrates a negative correlation between attention and inter-frog distance, and also suggests a behavioural strategy in which male frogs selectively attend to a less attractive male frog (i.e. a male producing calls at longer intervals) in order to more effectively advertise their superior relative attractiveness to females.