Frogs in love pressure: female dead sites - a struggle for survival!

Frogs in love pressure: female dead sites - a struggle for survival!

Berlin, Deutschland - Reproduction is of central importance for many animal species, but often combined with considerable risks. This is particularly clear using the example of the grass frogs. During the mating season, there is a dangerous outnumber of male frogs that clutch everything that moves in search of females. This behavior is not only a significant challenge for the females, but can also be fatal to them. This reports Exxpress.at .

A team of researchers from the Museum für Naturalkunde in Berlin has examined an interesting defense tactic of the females. Their strategy includes deadly, also known as tonic immobility. This tactic is used as the last option if other defense mechanisms, such as escape or the expulsion of specific calls, fail. In this position, the females stretch their arms and legs stiff and wait motionless until the male lets go.

survival strategies of the females

The behavior of the females was interpreted as an impressive adaptation to the challenging reproductive phase. Analyzes from the Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Research clarify that not only the dead spaces plays a role. Females also express different calls: a deep "grunt" that is to be understood as a lottery signal, as well as a higher -frequency "squeak", but the meaning of which has not been clearly clarified. These calls could also serve to point out other males in dangerous situations, the females can also actively fight for their security instead of staying passive. emphasizes that males often call to draw attention to their competitors, which further complicates the survival of the females in turbulent reproductive times.

From the perspective of evolution, the dead spots could be interpreted as a life -saving strategy. The researchers guess that this behavior was developed to protect females from the potential of a fatal mating ball. However, this strategy is not unique; It is also used in life danger in other animal species, which emphasizes the importance of the survival mechanisms.

ecological importance of frogs

frogs play a crucial role in many ecosystems. They act as predators by eating insects as well as prey for different animals such as birds and snakes. According to studysmarter.de , frogs have produced over 5000 different ways and have been on earth for about 250 million years. Their morphological adjustments, such as the characteristic long hind legs for bouncing and skin that supports water permeability, enable them to live in both water and on land.