Species-Recognition in the Field Cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus: Behavioral and Neural Mechanisms

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1982
Authors:Hoy, Pollack, Moiseff
Journal:American Zoologist
Volume:22
Issue:3
Start Page:597
Pagination:597-607
Abstract:

Field crickets depend on acoustic organs to detect the presence of potential predators as well as conspecific crickets. Predators are recognized largely on the basis of spectral frequencies that are contained in their acoustic signals. Puffs of air and very low frequencies activate a cricket's cercal receptors and ultrasonic frequencies activate their tympanal organs. Both of these acoustic stimuli release "escape behavior," in the form of evasive movements. An identified neuron sensitive to ultrasound is described. Crickets recognize singing conspecifics by both frequency and temporal properties of cricket songs; however species recognition requires specific temporal information in calling songs. While previous studies have emphasized the role of songs on female behavior, males also recognize conspecific songs; sexual differences in recognition behav

URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/3882581
BioAcoustica ID: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith