Seismic Communication in Anuran AmphibiansWhite-lipped frogs thump the ground as they chirp

eismic communication is the exchange of information using self-generated vibrational signals transmitted via a substrate such as the soil, a plant stem, or even a blade of grass. This communication style affords many advantages for terrestrial animals. By understanding the advantages and limitations of this modality, one may more fully appreciate the selective pressures operating both on the organisms that employ seismic signals and on communication systems as a whole. Seismic communication can take place without light, during day or night. Vibrational signals are most effective over a short range and have only short persistence. Thus they are well-suited for information exchange between nearby conspecifics; there is little danger of detection by distant predators. Due to their comparatively long wavelengths, seismic signals are affected relatively little by obstacles in the soil. This feature of vibrational signals accounts for one of their potential drawbacks: the emitter may be difficult to locate, because phase differences between points on the body surface of a small receiver, such as a frog, would be minimal. Furthermore, there are clear mechanical limits on the upper frequency of seismic signal production, with the result that vertebrate vibratory signals are restricted to frequencies below several