Sex pheromones in Neotropical tree frogs (Hylidae) - Insights into an under-studied communication mode in anurans

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Lisa Maria Schulte
• Subject Area: Sensory and Behavioural Biology ; Animal Physiology and Biochemistry
• Term: from 2015 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 275815364

Chemical communication is the evolutionary oldest communication system in the animal kingdom and it is especially important for the sexual behaviour in many species. Compared to other animals, studies regarding pheromones in anurans are extremely scarce, although many anuran species possess breeding glands which are suggested to contain sex pheromones. On the example of five Neotropical tree frog species that exhibit male breeding glands in different regions of the body, I want to investigate the use of sex pheromones in this worldwide biggest frog family (Hylidae). For this purpose I plan to 1) sample these frogs in their native habitats in Mexico and Peru, 2) histologically examine their breeding glands and visualize them in 3D-models, 3) isolate and identify the pheromonal gland contents using genetical and chemical methods (next generation sequencing and HPLC) and 4) test the significance of the sex pheromones during courtship in behavioural assays in the field. With this study I plan to expand the so far very restricted knowledge of the usage and structure of courtship pheromones in anurans. A comparison of the pheromones between the different species and genera within the same family as well as with so far identified chemical compounds of other amphibian species (especially salamanders) might lead to a further understanding of the evolution of courtship pheromones in amphibians generally and in anurans in particular.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Belgium
• Participating Institution: Vrije Universiteit Brussel ; Biology Department ; Unit of Ecology & Systematics
• Host: Professor Dr. Franky Bossuyt