Philautus kerangae

Philautus kerangae, BM 1978.1771, recorded at 24.5°C air temperature. An interval between call series is 24 sec. One complete call series is of 80 calls in 29 sec. Intervals between calls are 0.12-0.14 sec. The call consists of a series of 8-9 pulses (duration 0.06-0.065 sec.) followed by an unpulsed section (duration 0.02-0.025 sec.). Amplitude modulation is distinct. Frequency modulation is weak or absent; the dominant (fundamental) frequency of the poorly-tuned call is spread over the range 1.6-3.0 khz., most strongly at 2.2-2.5 khz.. 16 khz. sonograms show that there are at least six harmonics of the narrower fundamental. [1]

At Mulu, males called at night, often high in trees but sometimes only one or two metres up, by plants of Nepenthes bicalcarata, a robust large-pitchered species which reaches heights of five or six metres when supported by other vegetation. Calls are rapid long series of harsh notes (described above). Eggs are laid in water in slightly senescent bicalcarata pitchers, and are well adapted for development in the light. I collected a clutch and a calling male within hours at a felled pitcher-plant, and suspect that males associate with their developing clutches by day. [1]

References