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

ABSTRACT: 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 struc

SUBMITTER: Polajnar J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10235090 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature