The Effects of Diet on the Expression of Male Dimorphic Colouration and Weaponry in a Species of Neotropical Katydid.

ABSTRACT: Male alternative reproductive tactics are taxonomically widespread, with many species showing males with distinctly different phenotypic characters such as body size or weaponry. Several mechanisms can drive the expression of these male morphs, including genetic polymorphism or environmental interactions during development. In insects, multiple male morphs are common in several orders, including Coleoptera, Odonata, and Hymenoptera, but are rare in Orthoptera. This study establishes the presence of two male phenotypic morphs in the bush cricket Satizabalus jorgevargasi, a species in which the males display mandibular weaponry, and tests the effects of diet on the expression of male dimorphic characters. Male nymphs were raised under standard conditions until adulthood, whereupon mor

SUBMITTER: Holmes LB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12698207 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature