6 Don C. Forester and Richard Daniel 



summer, with peak oviposition from late April through June (Mecham 

 1964), but egg clutches have been reported during early fall (Wright and 

 Wright 1949). 



Despite the fact that this species is among the most common 

 anurans within its geographic range, little is known about its reproduc- 

 tive biology and social structure. Our attention shall focus on social 

 interactions between males by testing the following hypotheses: (1) call- 

 ing males occupy a territory, (2) there is a correlation between the size 

 of a calling territory and the number of nights a male is observed at the 

 pond, and (3) there is a correlation between territory size and mating 

 success. 



STUDY SITE 



This study was conducted during June and July of 1975. The study 

 site was a complex of three small sand pits situated in a mixed pine/ de- 

 ciduous flatwoods in Bryan County, Georgia. In most years the pits 

 collect rain, and during the spring and summer are active reproductive 

 sites for numerous amphibian species, including: the Southern Toad, 

 Bufo terrestris; the Oak Toad, Bufo quercicus; the Eastern Narrow- 

 mouthed Toad, Gastrophryne carolinensis; the Squirrel Treefrog, Hyla 

 squirella; the Pine Woods Treefrog, Hyla femoralis; the Barking Tree- 

 frog, Hyla gratiosa; the Southern Cricket Frog, Acris gryllus; the Little 

 Grass Frog, Limnaoedus ocularis', the Southern Leopard Frog, Rana 

 sphenocephala; the Crawfish Frog, Rana areolata; the Bullfrog, Rana 

 catesbeiana; the Carpenter Frog, Rana virgatipes', the Mole Salamander, 

 Amby stoma talpoideum; the Red-spotted Newt, Notophthalmus viri- 

 descens; and the Striped Newt, Notophthalmus perstriatus. 



Our study was confined to a small (D = 3.5 m) pool with gently 

 sloping banks and a firm bottom. The margin of the pond was covered 

 with patches of low, dense grass. This vegetation was cover for 8 to 12 

 calling male A. gryllus, and sparse enough to permit observation of the 

 males with minimal disturbance. 



METHODS 



Individual Recognition. — Male cricket frogs may be distinguished 

 individually based on their dorsal pattern (Bayless 1969). All males 

 observed during this study had their dorsal patterns diagramed for ref- 

 erence. Because the breeding congress was small and never included 

 more than eight males on any given night, individuals were easily 

 recognized. 



Calling Stations. — Male Acris call from land (Wright and Wright 

 1949), and in the present study were always within 1 m of the shoreline. 



