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.