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Modak S, Brown WD, Balakrishnan R. Decoupling of female phonotaxis and mating propensity in a tree cricket. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03084-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Kuriwada T, Kawasaki R, Kuwano A, Reddy GVP. Mate Choice Behavior of Female Field Crickets Is Not Affected by Exposure to Heterospecific Calling Songs. Environ Entomol 2020; 49:561-565. [PMID: 32270174 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvaa034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Many animals produce acoustic signals to mark territories and attract mates. When different species produce acoustic signals simultaneously, the signals create a noisy environment, with potential acoustic interference between species. Theoretical studies suggest that such reproductive interference may have strong effects on species interaction. For example, the inferior resource competitor can survive if its disadvantage is counterbalanced by superiority in reproductive interference. Two field cricket species, Teleogryllus occipitalis (Audinet-Serville) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) and Loxoblemmus equestris Saussure (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), cooccur in the same habitat. A previous study has shown that L. equestris is an inferior species to T. occipitalis in terms of resource competition. Therefore, we predicted that mate location and choice behavior of female T. occipitalis would be negatively affected by the acoustic signals of L. equestris and tested this with a series of playback experiments. The mate choice behavior of female T. occipitalis was not significantly affected by the calling song of L. equestris. Our results suggest that the acoustic interference does not explain the cooccurrence of the two species in the same habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kuriwada
- Department of Science Education, Kagoshima University, Faculty of Education, Laboratory of Zoology, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Rintaro Kawasaki
- Department of Science Education, Kagoshima University, Faculty of Education, Laboratory of Zoology, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Akifumi Kuwano
- Department of Science Education, Kagoshima University, Faculty of Education, Laboratory of Zoology, Korimoto, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Gadi V P Reddy
- USDA-ARS-Southern Insect Pest Management Research Unit, Stoneville, MS
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Lankheet MJ, Cerkvenik U, Larsen ON, van Leeuwen JL. Frequency tuning and directional sensitivity of tympanal vibrations in the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. J R Soc Interface 2017; 14:rsif.2017.0035. [PMID: 28298611 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Female field crickets use phonotaxis to locate males by their calling song. Male song production and female behavioural sensitivity form a pair of matched frequency filters, which in Gryllus bimaculatus are tuned to a frequency of about 4.7 kHz. Directional sensitivity is supported by an elaborate system of acoustic tracheae, which make the ears function as pressure difference receivers. As a result, phase differences between left and right sound inputs are transformed into vibration amplitude differences. Here we critically tested the hypothesis that acoustic properties of internal transmissions play a major role in tuning directional sensitivity to the calling song frequency, by measuring tympanal vibrations as a function of sound direction and frequency. Rather than sharp frequency tuning of directional sensitivity corresponding to the calling song, we found broad frequency tuning, with optima shifted to higher frequencies. These findings agree with predictions from a vector summation model for combining external and internal sounds. We show that the model provides robust directional sensitivity that is, however, broadly tuned with an optimum well above the calling song frequency. We therefore advocate that additional filtering, e.g. at a higher (neuronal) level, significantly contributes to frequency tuning of directional sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin J Lankheet
- Experimental Zoology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, De Elst 1, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Uroš Cerkvenik
- Experimental Zoology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, De Elst 1, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ole N Larsen
- Sound and Behavior Group, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Johan L van Leeuwen
- Experimental Zoology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, De Elst 1, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Symes LB, Rodríguez RL, Höbel G. Beyond temperature coupling: Effects of temperature on ectotherm signaling and mate choice and the implications for communication in multispecies assemblages. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:5992-6002. [PMID: 28811890 PMCID: PMC5552914 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 01/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Many organisms share communication channels, generating complex signaling environments that increase the risk of signal interference. Variation in abiotic conditions, such as temperature, may further exacerbate signal interference, particularly in ectotherms. We tested the effects of temperature on the pulse rate of male signals in a community of Oecanthus tree crickets, and for one focal species we also assessed its effect on female pulse rate preferences and motivation to seek mates. We confirm prior findings of temperature-dependent signals that result in increasing signal similarity at lower temperatures. Temperature also affected several aspects of female preferences: The preferred pulse rate value was temperature dependent, and nearly perfectly coupled with signal pulse rate; the range of pulse rate values that females found attractive also increased with temperature. By contrast, the motivation of females to perform phonotaxis was unaffected by temperature. Thus, at lower temperatures the signals of closely related species were more similar and females more discriminating. However, because signal similarity increased more strongly than female discrimination, signal interference and the likelihood of mismating may increase as temperatures drop. We suggest that a community approach will be useful for understanding the role of environmental variability in the evolution of communication systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel B. Symes
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of WisconsinMilwaukeeWIUSA
- Department of Biological SciencesDartmouth CollegeHanoverNHUSA
| | | | - Gerlinde Höbel
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of WisconsinMilwaukeeWIUSA
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Bhattacharya M, Isvaran K, Balakrishnan R. A statistical approach to understanding reproductive isolation in two sympatric species of tree crickets. J Exp Biol 2017; 220:1222-1232. [PMID: 28096428 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.146852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In acoustically communicating animals, reproductive isolation between sympatric species is usually maintained through species-specific calls. This requires that the receiver be tuned to the conspecific signal. Mapping the response space of the receiver onto the signal space of the conspecific investigates this tuning. A combinatorial approach to investigating the response space is more informative as the influence on the receiver of the interactions between the features is also elucidated. However, most studies have examined individual preference functions rather than the multivariate response space. We studied the maintenance of reproductive isolation between two sympatric tree cricket species (Oecanthus henryi and Oecanthus indicus) through the temporal features of the calls. Individual response functions were determined experimentally for O. henryi, the results from which were combined in a statistical framework to generate a multivariate quantitative receiver response space. The predicted response was higher for the signals of the conspecific than for signals of the sympatric heterospecific, indicating maintenance of reproductive isolation through songs. The model allows prediction of response to untested combinations of temporal features as well as delineation of the evolutionary constraints on the signal space. The model can also be used to predict the response of O. henryi to other heterospecific signals, making it a useful tool for the study of the evolution and maintenance of reproductive isolation via long-range acoustic signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monisha Bhattacharya
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560012, India
| | - Kavita Isvaran
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560012, India
| | - Rohini Balakrishnan
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560012, India
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Hartbauer M, Römer H. Rhythm Generation and Rhythm Perception in Insects: The Evolution of Synchronous Choruses. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:223. [PMID: 27303257 PMCID: PMC4885851 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect sounds dominate the acoustic environment in many natural habitats such as rainforests or meadows on a warm summer day. Among acoustic insects, usually males are the calling sex; they generate signals that transmit information about the species-identity, sex, location, or even sender quality to conspecific receivers. Males of some insect species generate signals at distinct time intervals, and other males adjust their own rhythm relative to that of their conspecific neighbors, which leads to fascinating acoustic group displays. Although signal timing in a chorus can have important consequences for the calling energetics, reproductive success and predation risk of individuals, still little is known about the selective forces that favor the evolution of insect choruses. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the neuronal network responsible for acoustic pattern generation of a signaler, and pattern recognition in receivers. We also describe different proximate mechanisms that facilitate the synchronous generation of signals in a chorus and provide examples of suggested hypotheses to explain the evolution of chorus synchrony in insects. Some hypotheses are related to sexual selection and inter-male cooperation or competition, whereas others refer to the selection pressure exerted by natural predators. In this article, we summarize the results of studies that address chorus synchrony in the tropical katydid Mecopoda elongata, where some males persistently signal as followers although this reduces their mating success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Hartbauer
- Behavioural Ecology and Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of GrazGraz, Austria
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Chivers BD, Jonsson T, Jackson JC, Kleinhappel TK, Shivarova N, Windmill JFC, Montealegre-Z F. Distribution of sound pressure around a singing cricket: radiation pattern and asymmetry in the sound field. BIOACOUSTICS 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2015.1124344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Morley EL, Mason AC. Active auditory mechanics in female black-horned tree crickets (Oecanthus nigricornis). J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2015; 201:1147-55. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-015-1045-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2015] [Revised: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Symes LB, Ayres MP, Cowdery CP, Costello RA. Signal diversification inOecanthustree crickets is shaped by energetic, morphometric, and acoustic trade-offs. Evolution 2015; 69:1518-1527. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.12668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. B. Symes
- Department of Biological Sciences; Dartmouth College; Hanover New Hampshire 03755
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Wisconsin; Milwaukee Wisconsin 53201
| | - M. P. Ayres
- Department of Biological Sciences; Dartmouth College; Hanover New Hampshire 03755
| | - C. P. Cowdery
- Department of Biological Sciences; Dartmouth College; Hanover New Hampshire 03755
| | - R. A. Costello
- Department of Biological Sciences; Dartmouth College; Hanover New Hampshire 03755
- Department of Biology; University of Virginia; Charlottesville Virginia 22904
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Eberhard MJB, Gordon SD, Windmill JFC, Ronacher B. Temperature effects on the tympanal membrane and auditory receptor neurons in the locust. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2014; 200:837-47. [PMID: 25048563 PMCID: PMC4138429 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-014-0926-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Revised: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Poikilothermic animals are affected by variations in environmental temperature, as the basic properties of nerve cells and muscles are altered. Nevertheless, insect sensory systems, such as the auditory system, need to function effectively over a wide range of temperatures, as sudden changes of up to 10 °C or more are common. We investigated the performance of auditory receptor neurons and properties of the tympanal membrane of Locusta migratoria in response to temperature changes. Intracellular recordings of receptors at two temperatures (21 and 28 °C) revealed a moderate increase in spike rate with a mean Q10 of 1.4. With rising temperature, the spike rate-intensity-functions exhibited small decreases in thresholds and expansions of the dynamic range, while spike durations decreased. Tympanal membrane displacement, investigated using microscanning laser vibrometry, exhibited a small temperature effect, with a Q10 of 1.2. These findings suggest that locusts are affected by shifts in temperature at the periphery of the auditory pathway, but the effects on spike rate, sensitivity, and tympanal membrane displacement are small. Robust encoding of acoustic signals by only slightly temperature-dependent receptor neurons and almost temperature-independent tympanal membrane properties might enable locusts and grasshoppers to reliably identify sounds in spite of changes of their body temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika J. B. Eberhard
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Physiology Group, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Shira D. Gordon
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Royal College Building, 204 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1XW UK
- Present Address: Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, 78 College Street, Hanover, NH 03755 USA
| | - James F. C. Windmill
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Royal College Building, 204 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1XW UK
| | - Bernhard Ronacher
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Physiology Group, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Hirtenlehner S, Römer H. Selective phonotaxis of female crickets under natural outdoor conditions. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2014; 200:239-50. [PMID: 24488017 PMCID: PMC3929774 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-014-0881-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Acoustic mate choice in insects has been extensively studied under laboratory conditions, using different behavioural paradigms. Ideally, however, mate choice designs should reflect natural conditions, including the physical properties of the transmission channel for the signal. Since little is known about the discrimination ability of females between male song variants under natural conditions, we performed phonotaxis experiments with female field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) outdoors, using two-choice decisions based on differences in carrier frequency, sound pressure level, and chirp rate. For all three song parameters, minimum differences necessary for a significant preference between two song models were considerably larger outdoors compared to laboratory conditions. A minimum amplitude difference of 5 dB was required for a significant choice in the field, compared to only 1-2 dB reported for lab-based experiments. Due to the tuned receiver system, differences in carrier frequency equal differences in perceived loudness, and the results on choice for differences in carrier frequency corroborate those in amplitude. Similarly, chirp rate differences of 50 chirps/min were required outdoors compared to only 20 chirps/min in the lab. For predictions about patterns of sexual selection, future studies need to consider the different outcomes of mate choice decisions in lab and field trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hirtenlehner
- Department of Zoology, Karl-Franzens-University, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria,
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Mhatre N, Robert D. A tympanal insect ear exploits a critical oscillator for active amplification and tuning. Curr Biol 2013; 23:1952-7. [PMID: 24076240 PMCID: PMC3793861 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Revised: 06/23/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
A dominant theme of acoustic communication is the partitioning of acoustic space into exclusive, species-specific niches to enable efficient information transfer. In insects, acoustic niche partitioning is achieved through auditory frequency filtering, brought about by the mechanical properties of their ears [1]. The tuning of the antennal ears of mosquitoes [2] and flies [3], however, arises from active amplification, a process similar to that at work in the mammalian cochlea [4]. Yet, the presence of active amplification in the other type of insect ears—tympanal ears—has remained uncertain [5]. Here we demonstrate the presence of active amplification and adaptive tuning in the tympanal ear of a phylogenetically basal insect, a tree cricket. We also show that the tree cricket exploits critical oscillator-like mechanics, enabling high auditory sensitivity and tuning to conspecific songs. These findings imply that sophisticated auditory mechanisms may have appeared even earlier in the evolution of hearing and acoustic communication than currently appreciated. Our findings also raise the possibility that frequency discrimination and directional hearing in tympanal systems may rely on physiological nonlinearities, in addition to mechanical properties, effectively lifting some of the physical constraints placed on insects by their small size [6] and prompting an extensive reexamination of invertebrate audition. The tympanal ears of a tree cricket use active amplification Active amplification and not passive resonance determines tuning to song frequency Active amplification and tuning have an “on” and an “off” state Crickets are the phylogenetically oldest insects with active auditory amplification
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Mhatre
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK.
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Rajaraman K, Mhatre N, Jain M, Postles M, Balakrishnan R, Robert D. Low-pass filters and differential tympanal tuning in a paleotropical bushcricket with an unusually low frequency call. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 216:777-87. [PMID: 23125342 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.078352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Low-frequency sounds are advantageous for long-range acoustic signal transmission, but for small animals they constitute a challenge for signal detection and localization. The efficient detection of sound in insects is enhanced by mechanical resonance either in the tracheal or tympanal system before subsequent neuronal amplification. Making small structures resonant at low sound frequencies poses challenges for insects and has not been adequately studied. Similarly, detecting the direction of long-wavelength sound using interaural signal amplitude and/or phase differences is difficult for small animals. Pseudophylline bushcrickets predominantly call at high, often ultrasonic frequencies, but a few paleotropical species use lower frequencies. We investigated the mechanical frequency tuning of the tympana of one such species, Onomarchus uninotatus, a large bushcricket that produces a narrow bandwidth call at an unusually low carrier frequency of 3.2 kHz. Onomarchus uninotatus, like most bushcrickets, has two large tympanal membranes on each fore-tibia. We found that both these membranes vibrate like hinged flaps anchored at the dorsal wall and do not show higher modes of vibration in the frequency range investigated (1.5-20 kHz). The anterior tympanal membrane acts as a low-pass filter, attenuating sounds at frequencies above 3.5 kHz, in contrast to the high-pass filter characteristic of other bushcricket tympana. Responses to higher frequencies are partitioned to the posterior tympanal membrane, which shows maximal sensitivity at several broad frequency ranges, peaking at 3.1, 7.4 and 14.4 kHz. This partitioning between the two tympanal membranes constitutes an unusual feature of peripheral auditory processing in insects. The complex tracheal shape of O. uninotatus also deviates from the known tube or horn shapes associated with simple band-pass or high-pass amplification of tracheal input to the tympana. Interestingly, while the anterior tympanal membrane shows directional sensitivity at conspecific call frequencies, the posterior tympanal membrane is not directional at conspecific frequencies and instead shows directionality at higher frequencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaveri Rajaraman
- Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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Deb R, Bhattacharya M, Balakrishnan R. Females of a tree cricket prefer larger males but not the lower frequency male calls that indicate large body size. Anim Behav 2012; 84:137-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Knight K. TREE CRICKET FEMALES LISTEN TO EVERYTHING. J Exp Biol 2011. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.062109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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