Journal article
Roars, Rumbles, and Resonance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Crocodylian Acoustic Signals
Ecology and Evolution, Vol.16(1), pp.1-42
2026
PMCID: PMC12828176
PMID: 41583878
Abstract
Crocodylians are highly vocal reptiles, possessing a complex acoustic signalling system including vocal and non-vocal signals used for courtship, mating, mediating conflict, and providing maternal care. Despite this, research on crocodylian acoustic signalling remains infrequent, with methodologies and terminology varying widely across studies. Here, we systematically review the literature and standardise crocodylian acoustic signal descriptions, measurements, and terminology to establish a consistent foundation for future research. The compiled dataset included 22 publications, with 623 acoustic signalling observations and 53 distinct parameters measured across various species, life stages, and contexts. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) was the most frequently studied species and distress calls the most commonly recorded signal type. Significant variation existed in parameters measured across studies, with dominant frequency, call duration, and fundamental frequency the most common. We synthesised acoustic parameters from available publications into comparable values and units, and provide these as a centralised database along with a standardised ethogram including representative spectrograms, and a glossary of commonly used terms facilitating clearer cross-species comparisons. Significant foundational level data gaps were identified with many species lacking defined repertoires, and notably, underwater acoustic signalling was rarely incorporated. We recommend shifting future research focus from distress calls to include a wider range of spontaneously produced acoustic signals, by individuals of known sex and life stage. The inclusion of a broader set of underrepresented acoustic parameters will also enable better cross-species comparisons, and identification of encoding in crocodylian acoustic signals. We further promote the reanalysis of existing data incorporating these key parameters, along with increased collaborative efforts, to add valuable insights informing conservation without requiring additional fieldwork. Such strategies will support future research into crocodylian acoustic communication and guide the development of more effective monitoring techniques such as passive acoustic monitoring and machine learning as tools for conservation and management of crocodylians.
Details
- Title
- Roars, Rumbles, and Resonance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Crocodylian Acoustic Signals
- Authors
- Sonnie A Flores (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringRoss G Dwyer - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringStuart Parsons - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringDominique A Potvin - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Publication details
- Ecology and Evolution, Vol.16(1), pp.1-42
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1002/ece3.72494
- ISSN
- 2045-7758
- PMID
- 41583878; PMC12828176
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Author(s). Ecology and Evolution published by British Ecological Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
- Data Availability
- The data that support the findings of this study is available in the Supporting Information and Appendix.
- Grant note
- This work was supported by the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment (Equity Trustees Charitable Foundation and the Ecological Society of Australia), and Australian Society of Herpetologists (Student Research Grant 2024).
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991201544002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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