Male tokay geckos extend mating calls with a short breath
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark found that male tokay geckos take a brief breath to lengthen their two-part mating calls.
Vocal plasticity in noisy settings
Male tokay geckos usually start with quiet rattles before making louder sounds. Past studies indicate these animals produce more of the loud GE-KO part when noise levels are high. The new research shows they can switch to longer call types under these conditions.
Breathing mechanics revealed
The team discovered that geckos insert a short breath between the two parts of their vocalization. This pause allows them to add extra pulses to the second part of the sound. Consequently, the overall duration of the call increases significantly.
Respiratory limits identified
The authors note that respiratory constraints prevent these reptiles from sustaining calls indefinitely. Despite their ability to adjust volume and length, physical breathing limits remain a factor. The study clarifies how physiology shapes the acoustic signals used for mating.
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