Abstract
Vibrational communication is known in some subterranean insects. Except for their use in sexual signaling, vibration behavior has rarely been reported. We report here four distinct types of substrate-based vibration behaviors in the mole cricket, Gryllotalpa orientalis, which are not associated with sexual signaling because of the occurrence of these behaviors in nymphs: (1) scraping with the forelegs; (2) foreleg taps (tapping with the forelegs); (3) palpal taps (tapping with the maxillary palpi); and (4) tremulation (back-and-forth movement of the whole body). Scraping is hypothesized to be used for the inspection of borrows. Foreleg taps are possibly informing nearby individuals of their presence, because it is never observed in solitary conditions. Palpal taps are rarely observed and its function is unknown. Tremulation is possibly related to avoidance of conspecific individual approaching and touching. The combination of the four vibration behaviors in the mole cricket may be unique among insects.
Highlights
Vibration behaviors of various animals, from whales to insects, that act as communication signals have long attracted attention [1]
Vibration behaviors should be common in subterranean animals, such as mole crickets and mole-rats
Vibrational communication is most often reported in animals
Summary
Vibration behaviors of various animals, from whales to insects, that act as communication signals have long attracted attention [1]. The method by which such vibrations are produced varies among animal species, depending on different sensory modalities and body structures. This type of communication provides information used in predator-prey interactions, food search, mate choice, intrasexual competition and maternal/brood social interactions [1,2,3]. Vibrational communication is most often reported in animals. To date, such communication has been recorded in more than 230,000 species of arthropods and vertebrates [8]. Claridge [9] stated “many groups of insects have developed specialized
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