The quantitative genetics of sound production in Gryllus firmus

The species-specific calling songs of male cricket are used by females for species recognition and mate choice. Heritability of variation of morphological structures involved in song production, components of the calling song, and body size were estimated for the cricket Gryllus firmus. The heritabilities of morphological structures range from 0·42 to 0·73, while those of the song components range from 0·10 to 0·35. Comparison between sire and dam components suggests that there may be non-additive and/or maternal effects. As a result of the low correlation between body size and song components, it is unlikely that female G. firmus use the calling song to assess male body size or wing morph (micropterous or macropterous).