Frog vocalizations are acoustic signals that contain specific recognition information, so detailed descriptions of calls are critical for improved taxonomic understanding and to establish boundaries between species. The study of the variation of acoustic properties, both within and among individuals, contributes to species diagnosis and can provide support for phylogenetic hypotheses. Herein we provide a more thorough description of the vocalizations of Sphaenorhynchus caramaschii, which includes analysis of the variation in call characteristics within and among individuals. We analyzed 305 calls of 14 males from three municipalities (Ribeirão Branco, Iporanga, and Ribeirão Grande) and compared the acoustic properties among these populations. Two types of notes were recognized in the advertisement call: a previously undescribed note with multiple pulses, called “A”, and another note with single pulse, called “B”. The temporal properties of the call were considered dynamic because of a high level of variation, and the spectral properties were considered static (with low variation) among calls from the same individual and those from different individuals. The advertisement call description presented in this paper is very distinct from the previous description, which was based on a single male recorded at Piraquara (140 km from the type-locality). Herein we discuss the implications of the variation in acoustic properties among populations. In addition, we present data on the effect of air temperature on dynamic acoustic properties and calling sites used by the species.

Vocalization, Anura, call variation, Sphaenorhynchus, acoustic properties