AN UNUSUAL MISLEAD COMMUNICATION BEHAVIOUR OF Duttaphrynus melanostictus (SCHNEIDER, 1799) (AMPHIBIA : BUFONIDAE) AND Polypedates cruciger BLYTH, 1852 (AMPHIBIA: RHACOPHORIDAE) AT A HUMAN HABITATION IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

Duttaphrynus melanostictus and Polypedatus cruciger are common amphibians in Sri Lanka, being sympatric in many habitats, while P. cruciger is endemic to the island. This is the first published observation on an unusual mislead communication behavior on D. melanostictus and P. cruciger at a human habitat in Sri Lanka. Considering the field observation, we can assume both D. melanostictus and P. cruciger males may accidentally catch almost immediately without identifying each other properly in their breeding periods. We suggest that these amphibians communicate with their unique call but their eyesight is not developed to identify its partner easily.