Hearing and communication in the monster haglid.

摘要: The existence of non-optimal features in biological systems is a subject of debate. I examined an apparent example of this--the auditory mis-match in C. monstrosa (Orthoptera: Haglidae). These primitive orthopteran insects are relatively insensitive to sound frequencies in the range of their own call (their hearing is tuned to much lower frequencies than they generate). Nevertheless they produce, and apparently communicate with, acoustic signals similar to those of other Orthoptera. By examining both their sensory capacities (auditory physiology) and acoustic behaviour, I have demonstrated that haglid communication is adapted to their sensory limitations. The auditory mis-match is most likely a compromise between the use of hearing in intraspecific communication and in non-social contexts (eg predator detection).I first studied the comparative physiology and anatomy of the central nervous system. I established …