Water-wave communication between territorial male Bombina variegata

Roughly a third of Bombina v. variegata (Bombinatoridae, Anura) males perfo rmed a sex-specific territorial behavior in temporary pools during short-te rm spawning aggregations. The males rhythmically struck the water with thei r hind legs, creating wave patterns that demarcated territories which were situated in relatively deep and almost vegetation-free areas of the ponds. In such areas the probability of egg and tadpole development was increased, as compared to the shallow areas of the same pools. Non-territorial males actively searched for females and engaged in intrasexual scramble competiti on for access to females but rarely performed the water-wave-making behavio r. Males performing water-wave-producing behavior were larger and had great er mating success than non-territorial males.