The Evolution of Cicada Songs Contrasted With the Relationships Inferred From Mitochondrial Dna (Insecta, Hemiptera)

Abstract

The molecular phylogeny of nine Palaearctic species of cicadas (Hemiptera, Cicadoidea) was inferred using two mitochondrial DNA genes, Cytochrome Oxidase I and II. The two main groups detected, namely species within Tettigetta and Tympanistalna, as well as the two species investigated in the genus Cicada, are robustly supported across the analytical methods. The structure of the song syllables, generated during single tymbal cycles of males of the analysed group of species is remarkably consistent in these two phyletic lines. This reflects the morphology and the mechanics of the tymbal. However the higher level song patterns, which depend on the activity of the central nervous system and have evolved to advertise receptive mates, do not seem to be consistent with either the inferred molecular topology or the basic tymbal cycle. The observed similarities between the molecular phylogeny and the basic tymbal cycles seem to reflect the basic conservative nature of the tymbal structure, while the discrepancy between the former and the calling song pattern is probably related to the high plasticity of the pattern generator in the central nervous system and dependent on species-specific selection.

Conflicting patterns of DNA barcoding and taxonomy in the cicada genus Tettigettalna from southern Europe (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

“…An earlier study obtained a few mitochondrial sequences from four Tettigettalna species (Fonseca et al . ), but here, we present the first comprehensive molecular data set for all European species within this genus, which is an important contribution for the barcode reference database, in which European cicadas are severely underrepresented. The 5′ region of COI has not been used in previous phylogenetic and phylogeographical studies on cicadas (e.g.…”

Vocal repertoire and consistency of call features in the meagre Argyrosomous regius (Asso, 1801)

“…The amplitude variability frequently exhibited in the initial pulses of the meagre grunts might be related to the time required by the sonic muscles to attain the necessary tension [ 62 ]. The production of acoustic signals involves the sound producing apparatus itself, as well as the associated nervous system that controls this apparatus [ 63 , 64 ]. As such, the pulse period variability observed at the beginning of grunts may be related to the time that sonic muscles require to “tune” on a specific contraction rate or may be dependent on the central pattern generator.…”

Testing drivers of acoustic divergence in cicadas (Cicadidae: Tettigettalna)

“…These results are in partial disagreement with the literature. Fonseca et al ( 2008 ) contrasted the phylogenetic history of nine cicada species (including four Tettigettalnas ) with their calling song patterns and the morphology of the song production apparatus. The authors found that the spectral traits of the song, which are strongly dependent on body size (Bennet‐Clark & Young, 1994 ) and the mechanisms of the tymbal (Fonseca & Popov, 1994 ) showed a strong correlation with phylogenetic relationships.…”

“…On the contrary, the calling song temporal pattern is controlled by a highly plastic nervous system, which consequently exerts fewer biomechanical constraints on song evolution. As a result, the temporal pattern was independent of the phylogenetic history (Fonseca et al, 2008 ). A reasonable explanation for the lack of signal in the spectral variable is that our data are comprised of a single genus.…”

“…These results are in partial disagreement with the literature. Fonseca et al (2008) contrasted the phylogenetic history of nine cicada species (including four Tettigettalnas) with their calling song patterns and the morphology of the song production apparatus.…”