Substrate-Borne Vibration Mediates Intrasexual Agonism in the New Zealand Cook Strait Giant Weta ( Deinacrida rugosa )

摘要: Substrate-borne vibrational communication is a common mode of information transfer in many invertebrate groups, with vibration serving as both primary and secondary signal channels Orthopterans. The Cook Strait giant weta, Deinacrida rugosa (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae), an endangered New Zealand insect whose system has not been previously described. After field observations intraspecific interactions D. provided preliminary evidence for substrate-borne the species, we sought to identify following: structure, mechanism production, whether production sexually dimorphic trait, signals encode regarding sender size, social context which utilized finally, function signaling species. We used laser Doppler vibrometry show that males produce low frequency (DF = 37.00 ± 1.63 Hz) vibrations through dorso-ventral tremulation. Rarely produced by females, male appear target rivals while are direct physical presence female. Tremulatory responses playbacks were only male-male-female trial contexts, neither sex exhibited walking vibrotaxis playback signals, indicating likely component courtship repertoire. While found structure was closely related signaler initiated male-male bouts held significant advantage contests.