Biology of Synchronous Flashing of Fireflies

Buck, John D.; Buck, Elisabeth

doi:10.1038/211562a0

Cited by 290 publications

(148 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Among acoustically signalling animals, one behavioural phenomenon that has attracted considerable interest is synchronous sexual signalling (Buck & Buck 1966, 1968Lloyd 1973;Sismondo 1990;Greenfield & Roizen 1993;Backwell et al 1998). So far, acoustic synchronous courtship signalling has been documented in anurans (Wells 1977;Tuttle & Ryan 1982;Grafe 1999;Greenfield & Rand 2000) and orthopterans (Walker 1969;Alexander 1975;Sismondo 1990;Greenfield & Roizen 1993;Snedden & Greenfield 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptive significance of synchronous chorusing in an acoustically signalling wolf spider

Kotiaho

Alatalo

Mappes

et al. 2004

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

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Synchronous sexual signalling is a behavioural phenomenon that has received considerable theoretical interest, but surprisingly few empirical tests have been conducted. Here, we present a set of experiments designed to determine (i) whether the sexual signalling of the drumming wolf spider Hygrolycosa rubrofasciata is synchronous, and (ii) whether the synchrony may have evolved through female preference. Using controlled playback experiments, we found that males actively synchronized their drumming bouts with other males and females significantly preferred closely synchronized drumming clusters compared with loose clusters. In loose clusters, the first drumming signals attracted the most female responses, whereas in close clusters, the last drumming signals were the most heeded. We suggest that this female preference for the last drummer can maintain male synchronous signalling in H. rubrofasciata.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptive significance of synchronous chorusing in an acoustically signalling wolf spider

Kotiaho

Alatalo

Mappes

et al. 2004

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

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“…fireflies (Buck and Buck, 1966;Lloyd, 1973); fiddler crabs (Backwell et al, 1998); anurans (Wells, 1988;Tuttle and Ryan, 1982;Grafe, 1996;Grafe, 1999;Greenfield and Rand, 2000); orthopterans (Walker, 1969;Sismondo, 1990;Greenfield and Roizen, 1993;Snedden and Greenfield, 1998;Hartbauer et al, 2005) and spiders (Kotiaho et al, 2004). Adaptive explanations for the evolution of synchrony, such as predator avoidance, increased attraction of mates, or the preservation of speciesspecific signal patterns have found little empirical support (but see Kotiaho et al, 2004), so that synchrony and alternation are more often considered an epiphenomenon resulting from male-male competition in choruses (Greenfield et al, 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroethology of female preference in the synchronously singing bushcricket Mecopoda elongata (Tettigoniidae; Orthoptera): why do followers call at all?

Fertschai

Stradner

Römer

2007

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARY Imperfect synchrony between male calls occurs in the acoustically interacting bushcricket Mecopoda elongata, and males establishing the temporal leadership attract more females in choice experiments. An asymmetrical representation of leader and follower signals in pairs of direction-selective neurons of the auditory pathway was suggested to represent the neural basis for the preference of females. We investigated the time–intensity trading effect, which occurs when the temporal advantage of the leader signal is compensated, and can be reversed, by an additional sound pressure level of the follower. In behavioural arena trials the intensity trading of the preference of females for leader signals depends on the playback level; a higher sound pressure level (SPL) is needed for compensation at higher playback levels. We studied the simultaneous neuronal representation of leader and follower signals, and the time–intensity trading function in the pair of omega-neurons in the CNS. Consistent with the behavioural data, the representation of leader and follower signals can be reversed with an additional loudness of the follower, and the steepness of the trading function depends on the playback level. We also implemented data on the neuronal representation of synchronized signals in individual receivers into computer-based agents, which performed phonotaxis in a virtual sound field. Results of these simulations closely resemble those obtained from real females with respect to the overall preference under the various time–intensity trading conditions. Furthermore, in combination with the observed trading functions these simulations demonstrate, that under more realistic field conditions the ultimate success of followers in attracting females is much higher than suggested from arena trials. We discuss the evolutionary consequences for male calling strategies in synchronously calling Orthoptera.

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“…These interactions occur primarily in acoustic (3,148) and bioluminescent signaling (26, 101), and they are best known among arthropods, anurans, and birds. Massive choruses of periodical cicadas in North America (4), dawn and evening choruses of various birds and other acoustic animals (81,158), and synchronous flashing at firefly (lampyrid beetle) aggregation trees in Southeast Asia (15) count among the more impressive signal interactions, which one author (153, p. 33l) has referred to as "great spectacles of the living world." Similar phenomena, perhaps less apparent to human observers, are found in numerous other species, and they involve varying degrees of temporal precision.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cooperation and Conflict in the Evolution of Signal Interactions

Greenfield¹

1994

Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics

111

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Various invertebrate and vertebrate species in which males produce acoustic or bioluminescent signals for long-range sexual advertisement exhibit collective patterns of temporal signal interactions. These patterns range from simple concentrations of signaling during a narrow diel interval to synchronous and alternating interactions entailing precisely timed phase relationships between neighboring individuals. Signals involved in synchrony and alternation are generally produced with rhythms that are under the control of central nervous oscillators. Neighboring individuals effect these interactions via mutual phase delays or phase advances of their oscillators or actual changes in the free-running periods of their oscillators. Both synchrony and alternation may represent adaptations to avoid spiteful behavior or to maximize the ability of a local group to attract females or evade natural enemies. Alternatively, these collective patterns may represent incidental outcomes of competition between males jamming each other's signals. The neural mechanisms that effect signal jamming can be selected for by critical psychophysical factors such as precedence effects. Additional competitive pressures that may generate synchrony, alternation, and other collective patterns of signal interaction include mutual assessment of rivals, evasion of detection by dominant individuals, disruption of communication within courting pairs, and narrowness of the time intervals during which receptive females are present. 97

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Biology of Synchronous Flashing of Fireflies

Cited by 290 publications

References 7 publications

Adaptive significance of synchronous chorusing in an acoustically signalling wolf spider

Adaptive significance of synchronous chorusing in an acoustically signalling wolf spider

Neuroethology of female preference in the synchronously singing bushcricket Mecopoda elongata (Tettigoniidae; Orthoptera): why do followers call at all?

Cooperation and Conflict in the Evolution of Signal Interactions

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