COURTSHIP AND FEMALE COMPETITION IN THE MAJORCAN MIDWIFE TOAD, ALYTESMULETENSIS

The courtship and mating behaviour A. muletensis are described based o n observations of captive roads. Courtship is prolonged and complex, w ith both sexes participating actively. Either sex can escape from ampl exus and may do so if thr partner fails to respond appropriately to co urtship manoeuvres. Females control the pace and duration of courtship . Females unable to obtain a mace drop their eggs unfertilized. Both s exes produce courtship vocalizations and either ses may initiate court ship, although females were observed to do so only when they were in d ancer oi dropping their eggs. Physical competition in the farm uf inte rference and grappling may occur between either males or females, but was observed more frequently bem een females. Tbe active role played b y females during courtship in this species is discussed with regard to sex-role reversal theory and opportunities for mate choice.