Noise pollution and artificial light at night alter selection pressures on sexual signals in an urban adapter

Human-induced environmental changes can have major impacts on how
individuals communicate. Species using sexual signals may experience
especially rapid shifts in their interactions with both intended receivers
(mates) and eavesdroppers (predators). Artificial light at night and
anthropogenic noise represent two major environmental features of
human-dominated habitats which may alter selection pressures imposed on
sexual signalers. In this study, we used a full factorial design to
investigate individual and combined effects of experimentally added light
and noise pollution on the attraction of female frogs and bat predators to
speakers broadcasting male túngara frog (Engystomops pustulosus) calls. We
conducted two-choice tests in the field to examine if predatory and mating
preferences for signals differing in conspicuousness change in response to
noise and light pollution. Data were collected between August – November
2019 in Soberanía National Park and the area surrounding Gamboa, Panamá.