Bufo gargarizans minshanicus males exhibit size-dependent mate choice but lack sex recognition: an experimental approach

Bufo gargarizans minshanicus is an explosively breeding species with intense male-male competition, leading to a large-male mating advantage and little opportunities for mate choice by males. In the present study, we experimentally show that B. g. minshanicus discriminates between the sizes of potential mating partners, however without discriminating between the sexes. We also show that their choice is limited or overruled by strong male-male competition in a natural population.