Organism
Japanese Tree Frog
TL;DR
Japanese tree frogs demonstrate spontaneous synchronization through call alternation.
Japanese tree frogs demonstrate spontaneous synchronization through call alternation. Males alternate their calls with neighbors to avoid overlap - each male times his call for the silent gaps between his neighbors' calls, maximizing his signal's clarity. This coordination emerges without central direction through simple local rules: listen to neighbors, adjust timing to avoid overlap, maintain rhythm.
Notable Traits of Japanese Tree Frog
- call alternation with neighbors
- spontaneous coordination without central control