Acoustic communication in the Lusitanian toadfish, Halobatrachus didactylus: Evidence for an unusual large vocal repertoire

摘要: The Lusitanian toadfish Halobatrachus didactylus (Bloch & Schneider) (Batrachoididae) is a well-known sound producer that has an unusual large acoustic repertoire for fish. This consists so far of five distinct categories: boatwhistles, grunt trains, croaks, double croaks and mixed grunt–croak call. Sixteen males spontaneously occupied artificial concrete nests placed in the intertidal zone Tagus estuary (Portugal) were recorded over 8 days June/July 2006. During analysis recordings new emissions found. Long trains sounded to human ear like running engine heard. These sounds differ from normal by having lower amplitude, much longer duration (tens seconds versus <1 second) more grunts per Other (e.g. triple croaks) also registered but heard less frequently. incidence various types given.