Urban sensory conditions alter rival interactions and mate choice in urban and forest túngara frogs

Abstract

AbstractSexual communication often takes place in networks with multiple competing signalers being simultaneously assessed by mate choosers. Altered sensory conditions, such as noise and light pollution, can affect communication by altering signal production and perception. While evidence of sensory pollution affecting sexual signaling is widespread, few studies assess impacts on sexual signaling during rival interactions as well as mate choice, let alone whether urban and forest populations have diverged in their response. Here, we investigate the effects of urban sensory conditions on sexual communication in urban and forest túngara frogs (Engystomops pustulosus). We recorded dyadic vocal rival interactions and assessed mate choice with and without noise and light pollution in the lab. We show that urban sensory conditions can directly impact the intensity of rival interactions, differences between rivals and mate choice, though changes were often in opposite directions for frogs of urban and forest origins. Moreover, we demonstrate that changes in rival interactions in response to light and noise pollution can also indirectly affect how females choose between potential mates. Our study reveals origin-dependent direct and indirect effects of noise and light pollution, which ultimately translate into fitness consequences for sexual communication in urban populations.