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Substrate-borne Vibrations as a Component of Intraspecific Communication in the Groundhopper Tetrix ceperoi

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Abstract

Substrate-borne vibrational signals used in communication of Tetrix ceperoi (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) are described for the first time. Among all studied Tetrix species, T. ceperoi use the richest repertoire of vibrational signals. These signals consist of isolated pulses or pulses united into rhythmically repeated or irregularly repeated groups and are used in rivalry, pre-copulation, and copulation behaviour (1st, 3rd, and 4th structural types of signals), and are also used by single males or females (2nd type of signal). A 5th type of vibrational signal is produced by wing tremulation, which was unknown Tetrigidae. Based on the results of this study, the vibrational signalisation seems to play an important role in species-specific mate recognition of T. ceperoi. The significance of individual signals is discussed based on results of manipulative contact experiments.

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Acknowledgements

I thank the four anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions, which significantly improved the quality of the publication, and Jan Beneš (Prague, Czech Republic) for technical help with sound recording equipment. The study was supported by grants No. 206/07/0811 of the Czech Science Foundation (GACR) and No. SGS2/PrF/2010 of the University of Ostrava.

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  1. Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Ostrava, Chittussiho 10, CZ-710 00, Ostrava, Czech Republic

    Petr Kočárek

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  1. Petr Kočárek
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Correspondence to Petr Kočárek.

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Kočárek, P. Substrate-borne Vibrations as a Component of Intraspecific Communication in the Groundhopper Tetrix ceperoi . J Insect Behav 23, 348–363 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-010-9218-8

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