Data from: Evidence for ecological tuning of anuran biofluorescent signals

Although biologists have described biofluorescence in a diversity of taxa,
there have been few systematic efforts to document the extent of
biofluorescence within a taxonomic group or investigate its general
significance. Through a field survey across South America, we discover and
document patterns of biofluorescence in tropical amphibians. We more than
triple the number of anuran species that have been tested for this trait.
We find evidence for ecological tuning (i.e., the specific adaptation of a
signal to the environment in which it is received) of the biofluorescent
signals. For 56.58% of species tested, the fluorescence excitation peak
matches the wavelengths most abundant at twilight, the light environment
in which most frogs are active. Additionally, biofluorescence emission
spans both wavelengths of low availability in twilight and the peak
sensitivity of green-sensitive rods in the anuran eye, likely increasing
contrast of this signal for a conspecific receiver. We propose an expanded
key for testing the ecological significance of biofluorescence in future
studies, providing potential explanations for the other half of
fluorescent signals not originally meeting formerly proposed criteria.
With evidence of tuning to the ecology and sensory systems of frogs, our
results suggest frog biofluorescence is likely functioning in anuran
communication.