Leafhopper males compensate for unclear directional cues in vibration-mediated mate localization

Polajnar, Jernej (author), Kuhelj, Ana (author), Janža, Rok (author), Žnidaršič, Nada (author), Simčič, Tatjana (author), Virant-Doberlet, Meta (author)

Ambient noise and transmission properties of the substrate pose challenges in vibrational signal-mediated mating behavior of arthropods, because vibrational signal production is energetically demanding. We explored implications of these challenges in the leafhopper Aphrodes makarovi (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) by exposing males to various kinds of vibrational noise on a natural substrate and challenging them to find the source of the female playback. Contrary to expectations, males exposed to noise were at least as efficient as control males on account of similar searching success with less signaling effort, while playing back male–female duets allowed the males to switch to satellite behavior and locate the target without signaling, as expected. We found altered mitochondrial structure in males with high signaling effort that likely indicate early damaging processes at the cellular level in tymbal muscle, but no relation between biochemical markers of oxidative stress and signaling effort. Analysis of signal transmission revealed ambiguous amplitude gradients, which might explain relatively low searching success, but it also indicates the existence of behavioral adaptations to complex vibrational environments. We conclude that the observed searching tactic, emphasizing speed rather than thorough evaluation of directional cues, may compensate for unclear stimuli when the target is near.

• Language: English
• Keywords: biotremology, vibrational communication, sexual behavior of insects, impact of noise on behavior, metabolism of vibrational production, animal behaviour, entomology
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2023
• Number of pages: 13 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 13, art. 8879
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-155361
• UDC: 59
• ISSN on article: 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35057-z
• COBISS.SI-ID: 154300163
• Publication date in RUL: 27.03.2024

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Scientific reports
• Shortened title: Sci. rep.
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• COBISS.SI-ID: 18727432

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: biotremologija, vibracijska komunikacija, spolno vedenje žuželk, vpliv šuma na vedenje, metabolizem produkcije vibracij, entomologija