Quality calls: phylogeny and biogeography of a new genus of neotropical katydid (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) with ultra pure-tone ultrasonics

This article reports the discovery of a new genus and three species of predaceous katydid (Insecta: Orthoptera) from Colombia and Ecuador in which males produce the highest frequency ultrasonic calling songs so far recorded from an arthropod. Male katydids sing by rubbing their wings together to attract distant females. Their song frequencies usually range from audio (5 kHz) to low ultrasonic (30 kHz). However, males of Supersonus spp. call females at 115 kHz, 125 kHz, and 150 kHz. Exceeding the human hearing range (50 Hz–20 kHz) by an order of magnitude, these insects also emit their ultrasound at unusually elevated sound pressure levels (SPL). In all three species these calls exceed 110 dB SPL rms re 20 µPa (at 15 cm). Males of Supersonus spp. have unusually reduced forewings (<0.5 mm2). Only the right wing radiates appreciable sound, the left bears the file and does not show a particular resonance. In contrast to most katydids, males of Supersonus spp. position and move their wings during sound production so that the concave aspect of the right wing, underlain by the insect dorsum, forms a contained cavity with sharp resonance. The observed high SPL at extreme carrier frequencies can be explained by wing anatomy, a resonant cavity with a membrane, and cuticle deformation.

show abstract

“…The vegetation is lowland rainforest, typical of the western slopes of the Andes, with faunal affinities extending into Colombia [23].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shrinking Wings for Ultrasonic Pitch Production: Hyperintense Ultra-Short-Wavelength Calls in a New Genus of Neotropical Katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

et al. 2014

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Heller ; Montealegre‐Z et al. ). However, Odontura songs are quite similar in structure in comparison with other Phaneropterinae (see Heller ), which is helpful in defining them.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tl JQ963434 JQ963480 JQ963457 Tettigonia viridissima Tv the wing movement directly (cf. Heller 1988; Montealegre-Z et al 2011). However, Odontura songs are quite similar in structure in comparison with other Phaneropterinae (see Heller 1988), which is helpful in defining them.…”

Section: Tylopsis Lilifoliamentioning

confidence: 99%

Chromosomal diversification in the flightless Western Mediterranean bushcricket genusOdontura(Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) inferred from molecular data

Grzywacz

Heller²,

Lehmann³

et al. 2013

J Zoolog Syst Evol Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We used molecular characters to infer the phylogenetic position of the Western Mediterranean bushcricket genus Odontura and to trace its high karyotype diversity. Analysis of 1391 base pairs of two mitochondrial genes (COI and ND1) and one nuclear sequence (ITS2) was conducted. Phylogenetic topologies were estimated using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and likelihood-based Bayesian inference. The genus Odontura is a phylogenetic outlier in respect of all other European Phaneropterinae genera and has been proposed to have originated from a hitherto unknown ancestor. Our results support the monophyly of the genus Odontura and the recognition of two subgenera: Odontura and Odonturella. We found that both Sicilian taxa of the subgenus Odontura have a completely identical morphology and song patterns. Combining these results, we proposed that both should be treated as subspecies: O. (Odontura) stenoxypha stenoxypha and O. (O.) st. arcuata. Bioacoustic data also proved to support independent markers, with song characteristics reflecting the molecular topology. Mapping the karyotypic characters onto the phylogenetic tree allows a reconstruction of the directions and transitional stages of chromosome differentiation. The number of autosomes within the genus Odontura ranges from 26 to 30. In addition to the ancestral X0 sex determination mechanism, neo-XY and neo-X 1 X 2 Y sex chromosomes have evolved independently.

show abstract

“…In contrast to the escapement system of frequency regulation, excitation of the natural frequency of the wings in bush crickets relies on an association between wing closure velocity and arrangement of teeth on the file (Montealegre-Z et al, 2006). In this way a scraper passed over consistently distanced teeth at a stable velocity produces a consistent tooth strike rate (Montealegre-Z et al, 2011b). Alternatively, an increase of tooth spacing can be associated with an associated increase in wing closure velocity, thus keeping the TSR consistent during each wing closure (Montealegre-Z and Mason, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional morphology of tegmina-based stridulation in the relict speciesCyphoderris monstrosa(Orthoptera: Ensifera: Prophalangopsidae)

Chivers

Béthoux²,

Sarria-S

et al. 2017

Journal of Experimental Biology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Male grigs, bush crickets and crickets produce mating calls by tegminal stridulation: the scraping together of modified forewings functioning as sound generators. Bush crickets (Tettigoniidae) and crickets (Gryllinae) diverged some 240 million years ago, with each lineage developing unique characteristics in wing morphology and the associated mechanics of stridulation. The grigs (Prophalangopsidae), a relict lineage more closely related to bush crickets than to crickets, are believed to retain plesiomorphic features of wing morphology. The wing cells widely involved in sound production, such as the harp and mirror, are comparatively small, poorly delimited and/or partially filled with cross-veins. Such morphology is similarly observed in the earliest stridulating ensiferans, for which stridulatory mechanics remains poorly understood. The grigs, therefore, are of major importance to investigate the early evolutionary stages of tegminal stridulation, a critical innovation in the evolution of the Orthoptera. The aim of this study is to appreciate the degree of specialization on grig forewings, through identification of sound radiating areas and their properties. For well-grounded comparisons, homologies in wing venation (and associated areas) of grigs and bush crickets are re-evaluated. Then, using direct evidence, this study confirms the mirror cell, in association with two other areas (termed 'neck' and 'pre-mirror'), as the acoustic resonator in the grig Cyphoderris monstrosa. Despite the use of largely symmetrical resonators, as found in field crickets, analogous features of stridulatory mechanics are observed between C. monstrosa and bush crickets. Both morphology and function in grigs represents transitional stages between unspecialized forewings and derived conditions observed in modern species.

show abstract

Quality calls: phylogeny and biogeography of a new genus of neotropical katydid (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) with ultra pure-tone ultrasonics

Cited by 21 publications

References 43 publications

Shrinking Wings for Ultrasonic Pitch Production: Hyperintense Ultra-Short-Wavelength Calls in a New Genus of Neotropical Katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

Shrinking Wings for Ultrasonic Pitch Production: Hyperintense Ultra-Short-Wavelength Calls in a New Genus of Neotropical Katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

Chromosomal diversification in the flightless Western Mediterranean bushcricket genusOdontura(Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) inferred from molecular data

Functional morphology of tegmina-based stridulation in the relict speciesCyphoderris monstrosa(Orthoptera: Ensifera: Prophalangopsidae)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About