Phonotaxis in Female Frogs and Toads: Execution and Design of Experiments

This chapter discusses methods for testing phonotactically active female frogs and toads in playback experiments designed to assess the accuracy of sound localization or the selectivity for particular sound patterns. Procedures are suggested for inducing phonotaxis in captive females, for observing phonotactic behavior, establishing response criteria, and devising controls for motivational state and the effects of visual stimuli. Experimental design is discussed both in terms of arrangements of loudspeakers and collection and analysis of data required to address specific hypotheses.

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