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Sex, intimidation and severed limbs: the effect of simulated predator attack and limb autotomy on calling and emergence behaviour in the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus

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Abstract

Crickets can autotomize a limb in order to evade predation; however, this autotomy compromises their escape speed and, therefore, their ability to avoid subsequent predation events. We recorded two measures of predator-avoidance behaviour in field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) exposed to varying levels of predation threat, with the most extreme level leading to autotomy of a limb. Our first measure of caution was time to emergence from cover, which was affected by perceived predation treatment, with both autotomized males and females being significantly more cautious than intact individuals. For males (but not females), the presence of a calling conspecific encouraged earlier emergence. Our second measure of caution was alteration of male calling behaviour. Autotomized males remained silent for significantly longer time after disturbance than intact males, but there was no difference in call rate once they had resumed calling, suggesting that behavioural changes were not merely a result of injury response but a controlled modification of behaviour as a result of autotomy. These data suggest that autotomy in field crickets results in altered calling behaviour, which was not significantly altered with different acoustic environments.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the University of Pretoria. This study complies with laws and regulations of South Africa and the University of Pretoria. We thank M. Ferreira and J.W.H. Ferguson for their generous access to unpublished data and three anonymous reviewers for their comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa

    Philip W. Bateman

  2. School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia

    Patricia A. Fleming

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  1. Philip W. Bateman
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  2. Patricia A. Fleming
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Correspondence to Philip W. Bateman.

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Communicated by D. Gwynne

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Bateman, P.W., Fleming, P.A. Sex, intimidation and severed limbs: the effect of simulated predator attack and limb autotomy on calling and emergence behaviour in the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus . Behav Ecol Sociobiol 59, 674–681 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-005-0096-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-005-0096-6

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