Frog vocalization is influenced by moon phases: Brazilian frogs tend to prefer low-albedo phases
2021
Abstract. Lunar phases remarkably influence the circadian cycle of living beings.
Early amphibian studies date back to the 1960s, but only recently has more
research been conducted in this field. Much still needs to be understood
to establish the behavioral pattern of this group according to the synodic cycle. In
the present study, we sought to determine (i) whether the vocalization
activity was influenced by the lunar phases and (ii) whether the influence
was species-specific or affects the community with equal intensity. We
expected a great diversity of behaviors and adaptations. Rayleigh's test was
used to verify whether the sample differs significantly from the null
hypothesis; Rao's test was used to check sample size sufficiency; and the Kiviat
diagram was used to evaluate the activity of the species in relation to the complete
synodic cycle. We have observed 1691 individuals of 37 species over 882 d. The lunar cycle influenced 78 % of the species, with 32 % preferring
the lower-albedo phases. The activity pattern of each species was
established. These results suggest that the lunar phases influence the
vocalization activity of most species. Therefore, there is a general pattern
of activity related to the synodic cycles; however, the specificities still
need to be better understood.
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