Hybrid Tree Frogs: Vocalizations of Males and Selective Phonotaxis of Females

Abstract

Male hybrids of reciprocal crosses between gray and pinewoods tree frogs (Hyla chtysoscelis x H. femoralis) that were raised to sexual maturity in the laboratory produced distinctive vocalizations. Hybrid females preferred the calls of hybrids to calls of gray tree frogs and also chose synthetic calls with a pulse repetition rate typical of the hybrids in preference to calls with a rate typical of pinewoods tree frogs.