@article {57603, title = {Experience modulates an insect{\textquoteright}s response to anthropogenic noise}, year = {2019}, abstract = {

In response to anthropogenic noise, vertebrates express modified acoustic communication signals either through individual plasticity or local population adaptation. In contrast, how insects respond to this stressor is poorly studied. Field crickets Gryllus bimaculatus use acoustic signals to attract and locate mates and are commonly found in noisy roadside environments, offering a powerful system to study the effects of anthropogenic noise on insect communication. Rapid repetition of sexual calls (chirps) is essential to attract females, but calling incurs energetic costs and attracts predators. As a result, males are predicted to reduce calling rates when background noise is high. Here, we combine observations and experimental playbacks to show that the responses of field cricket males to anthropogenic noise also depend on their previous experience with passing cars. First, we show that males living on highway edges decrease their chirp rate in response to passing cars. To assess whether this behavioral response depends on previous exposure to car noise, we then broadcast recordings of car noise to males located at different distances from the road and, therefore, with different previous exposure to car noise. Although all tested individuals responded to broadcasted traffic noise, males closest to the road decreased their chirp rate less than individuals calling further from the road. These results suggest that regular exposure to anthropogenic noise may decrease individuals\’ sensitivity and behavioral responses to noise, allowing them to maintain effective signaling rates. Behavioral plasticity modulated by experience may thus allow some insect species to cope with human-induced environmental stressors.

}, keywords = {acoustic adaptation, anthropogenic noise, behavioral plasticity, Gryllus bimaculatus, Insect, sexual signals}, doi = {10.1093/beheco/arz159}, url = {https://academic.oup.com/beheco/advance-article/doi/10.1093/beheco/arz159/5574703}, author = {Gallego-Abenza, Mario and Mathevon, Nicolas and Wheatcroft, David}, editor = {Candolin, Ulrika} } @article {53340, title = {Vocal divergence between two disjunct populations of Giant Antshrike (Batara cinerea) is related to environmental conditions}, journal = {Austral Ecology}, year = {2018}, month = {Apr-11-2019}, abstract = {

Variation in the avian vocal signals emitted may have a significant impact on species evolution. Vocal divergence in suboscine species like Giant Antshrike (Batara cinerea) may be associated with selective adaptation, since learning has little influence on vocal development and variation in acoustic structure cannot be attributed to learning deviation. Consequently, tracheophone suboscine species are ideal subjects to explore vocal variation, since cultural evolution does not seem to influence vocal variation in this group. Environmental conditions may determine the selection of vocal features because acoustic transmission could be attenuated under certain conditions of temperature, humidity and vegetation cover. Here, we examined vocalizations of Giant Antshrike and assessed possible acoustic variations between two disjunct groups (Andean and Atlantic), correlating the differences to the environmental structure. Univariate and multivariate analysis show temporal and spectral differences between both groups. Andean individuals produce vocalizations with longer duration, faster trill rates, shorter syllable duration and higher frequencies. Environmental features are different between the two populations, and they are correlated to the acoustic structure of vocalizations. Temporal variations arise directly from climatic influence, while spectral divergence could be a secondary effect of morphological adaptation to habitat structure.

}, keywords = {acoustic adaptation, birdsong, environmental selection, suboscine, vocal variation}, doi = {10.1111/aec.12682}, url = {http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/aec.12682}, author = {Sementili-Cardoso, Guilherme and Donatelli, Reginaldo Jos{\'e}} }