Insect acoustic communication: The role of transmission channel and the sensory system and brain of receivers

摘要: For decades, acoustic insects have been used as model organisms for behavioural neurobiologists to understand mate choice or predator avoidance, because behaviour can easily and reliably be elicited in the laboratory, behaviourally relevant, identified nerve cells studied under these conditions. However, signalling often takes place complex environments, which signal perceived by receiver may differ greatly from one broadcast due biotic abiotic properties of sound transmission channel. Thus, key challenge is transfer insights laboratory‐oriented experiments more natural settings. Signal detection, identification discrimination, well localization, are complicated channel several ways. Here, I review empirical evidence outdoor studies, demonstrating how excess attenuation reduces active space information a at some distance sender. At same time, frequency‐dependent processes allow maintain distances neighbours population. Insects communicate within choruses signallers different species, giving rise high levels masking interference. discuss found temporal spatial partitioning species multispecies assemblages, show that solutions problem based on combination adaptations sensory system receivers. Whether not elicits receivers will depend design brain. give examples mechanical insect receptors influence responses external stimuli. In addition, neuronal filters frequency, intensity time domain, even memory individual receivers, provide basis adaptive decision‐making scenarios. Finally, describe advantages having access relatively simple nervous systems this access, combined with use variety tests, allows new into communication its evolution. A free Plain Language Summary Supporting Information article.