Water-Wave Communication between Territorial Male Bombina variegata

Abstract

Roughly a third of Bombina v. variegata (Bombinatoridae, Anura) males performed a sex- specific territorial behavior in temporary pools during short-term spawning aggregations. The males rhyth- mically struck the water with their hind legs, creating wave patterns that demarcated territories which were situated in relatively deep and almost vegetation-free areas of the ponds. In such areas the probability of egg and tadpole development was increased, as compared to the shallow areas of the same pools. Non- territorial males actively searched for females and engaged in intrasexual scramble competition for access to females but rarely performed the water-wave-making behavior. Males performing water-wave-producing behavior were larger and had greater mating success than non-territorial males.