Pheromones as modulators of phonotaxis in female cricket Acheta domesticus
Presenter Status
Biology
Second Presenter Status
Biology
Third Presenter Status
Biology
Preferred Session
Poster Session
Location
Berrien Springs, MI
Start Date
20-10-2023 2:00 PM
End Date
20-10-2023 3:00 PM
Presentation Abstract
Using crickets as model organisms in the investigation of communication and mating systems, researchers have gained insight relative to the vibration mechanisms of male crickets, signal transduction systems and signaling cascades in conspecific females. Insects, possess capacity for multimodal signaling and there is evidence that at least in Gryllus bimaculatus, pheromones play an important role in mate choice. We have previously shown that young, virgin female Acheta domesticus, exhibits selective phonotaxis to attractive calls of conspecific males and their ability to discriminate between calls correlated with age of the female, syllable period of the call and environmental temperature. In this study, we have tested possible involvement of pheromones as modulators of phonotactic behavior in female A. domesticus. Following the imaginal molt, virgin females were immediately placed in one side of a double chamber, isolated from physical contact with males which were placed in the other adjoined chamber. Tiny holes in the partition wall allowed airflow between the two sides. After 6 – 7 days of exposure to males, females were tested for phonotaxis using a non-compensating treadmill. Our preliminary results showed that 57% of the crickets tested exhibited positive phonotaxis to at least one syllable period. Of this group, 5% responded to all syllable periods, while 95% responded selectively to 3 or less syllable periods that are within the most attractive range (50 - 70 ms). Analysis of the vectors and polar orientation diagrams of the non-phonotactic females, revealed that total distances walked were comparable to distances walked by those that responded with positive phonotaxis, but lacked particular directionality. These results are consistent with the view that phonotaxis is a complex behavior that can be modulated by multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors, with sound being a principal contributor.
Pheromones as modulators of phonotaxis in female cricket Acheta domesticus
Berrien Springs, MI
Using crickets as model organisms in the investigation of communication and mating systems, researchers have gained insight relative to the vibration mechanisms of male crickets, signal transduction systems and signaling cascades in conspecific females. Insects, possess capacity for multimodal signaling and there is evidence that at least in Gryllus bimaculatus, pheromones play an important role in mate choice. We have previously shown that young, virgin female Acheta domesticus, exhibits selective phonotaxis to attractive calls of conspecific males and their ability to discriminate between calls correlated with age of the female, syllable period of the call and environmental temperature. In this study, we have tested possible involvement of pheromones as modulators of phonotactic behavior in female A. domesticus. Following the imaginal molt, virgin females were immediately placed in one side of a double chamber, isolated from physical contact with males which were placed in the other adjoined chamber. Tiny holes in the partition wall allowed airflow between the two sides. After 6 – 7 days of exposure to males, females were tested for phonotaxis using a non-compensating treadmill. Our preliminary results showed that 57% of the crickets tested exhibited positive phonotaxis to at least one syllable period. Of this group, 5% responded to all syllable periods, while 95% responded selectively to 3 or less syllable periods that are within the most attractive range (50 - 70 ms). Analysis of the vectors and polar orientation diagrams of the non-phonotactic females, revealed that total distances walked were comparable to distances walked by those that responded with positive phonotaxis, but lacked particular directionality. These results are consistent with the view that phonotaxis is a complex behavior that can be modulated by multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors, with sound being a principal contributor.
Acknowledgments
Andrews University Office of Research and Creative Scholarship