Abstract
Inter-male spacing in Hyperolius marmoratus choruses was studied at a natural breeding site. Calling males maintain minimum inter-individual distances of 50 cm. Agonistic behaviour and encounter calling appear to help maintain spacing. Males wrestle with one another by grappsling with their forelimbs and attempt to displace each other with powerful kicks from the hindlimbs. Acoustic playback experiments demonstrated that inter-male spacing was vocally mediated and that signal intensity provides cues regarding the proximity of near neighbours. When given a choice of three identical calls, differing only in their spatial separation, females displayed selective phonotaxis to the most widely spaced call. Such discrimination by females must generate strong selective pressure for males to maintain adquate spacing if they are to attract mates successfully.
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