Sexual selection and male mate choice in the common toad,Bufo bufo

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Abstract
Reproductive behaviour in the common toad, Bufo bufo, is traditionally interpreted from the perspective of male-male competitive interactions at the aquatic breeding site. No observations are available suggesting mate choice exercised by male toads. I studied intra- and inter-sexual interactions in the terrestrial environment, collecting data with the help of a barrier and pitfall system. Toad size distribution and sex ratio varied significantly over time and space. In pitfalls with an excess of females, the larger females had mates while the smaller ones were unmated, suggesting male mate-choice.