Physical interaction between a male Nyctimystes dayi and a sympatric male Litoria rheocola (Anurs: Hylidae)

Abstract

A degree of separation between conspecific male anurans is often maintained by calling and physical contests. As males of different species do not compete for females, selection for interspecific aggression should be weak, and there are few reports of contest between heterospecific males (Gerhardt & Schwartz, 1995). If they do occur, interactions between heterospecific males appear to be as a response to trespassing or close calling proximity (see Table 1), similar to aggression between conspecifics (reviewed by Gerhardt & Schwartz, 1995).