P-17 Variability of phonotaxis and selective processing of its underlying neural elements in the female cricket Acheta domesticus

Buller Hall Hallways

The phonotactic behavior of female cricket A. domesticus as observed in the lab, has been shown to vary. In response to computer-generated calls, some females are finely tuned and attracted to calls with syllable periods, which closely match those of the natural calls of the males (50 – 70 ms). Other females respond phonotactically to calls with a wider range of syllable periods (30 – 90 ms) including or not the most attractive range. Therefore, lacking the ability to discriminate between attractive and unattractive calls. Factors that contribute to this variability include age, temperature and levels of JHIII. We show the presence of neurochemicals such as histamine to influence phonotaxis. Prothoracic nanoinjection of histamine, resulted in females responding phonotactically to calls with a wider range of syllable periods, compared to the same females’ preferences before injections and therefore acting as a neuromodulator. Additionally, when females are exposed to males, but not allowed to mate, their ability to discriminate attractive calls is reduced. This implies factors other than mating alter the females’ phonotactic behavior in ways that parallels the results reported for injection of histamine as well as lower levels of JHIII as seen in older females. Although mechanisms involved in call recognition and phonotaxis have been proposed, they do not fully explained how the factors mentioned above regulate the behavior. We evaluate the role of one identified underlying neural elements (L3 neuron) involved in the control of phonotaxis. Implications of results of the study are discussed.