Bioacoustic analysis: A tool in discriminating the Mindanao Island river toads, genus Ansonia (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae) species complex

Author(s)

Abstract
Genus Ansonia of the family Bufonidae, order Anura of amphibians in the Philippines is found only in Mindanao Island. Current classification bares only two species, A. mcgregori and A. muelleri. However, the differences represent individual variation rather than species differentiation. Otherwise proven, these species must be considered conspecific. Thus, there is a need for more evidence other than the morphological characteristics. Bioacoustics, aside from molecular analysis, now provides for distinguishing species which cannot be separated by morphological traits. Moreover, characterization of these species complex as to bioacoustics is still dearth or has not been established yet. This study recorded vocalizations of the Ansonia spp. in eight rivers in Mindanao. Analyses of the recorded vocalizations made use of oscillograms (waveforms), audiospectograms (sonograms), and results of the Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT: frequency spectrum) for a variety of temporal and spectral characters using Raven Pro 1.4 for Windows (2011) considering some ecological and morphological features. Results bared that call duration, interval, calling rate, number of calls per minute and peak call frequency varied where some of which were influenced by some ecological factors and body sizes. These could serve as a basis for reassessment on the classification of Ansonia spp.

Keywords
conspecific, call characteristics analysis

Cite this paper
Nelieta B. Arnejo Bedoya, Bioacoustic analysis: A tool in discriminating the Mindanao Island river toads, genus Ansonia (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae) species complex , SCIREA Journal of Environment. Volume 5, Issue 3, June 2021 | PP. 63-73. 10.54647/environmental61222

References