Revisiting adaptations of neotropical katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) to gleaning bat predation

Figures & data

Figure 1. Lateral view of Steirodon stalii showing thoracic spines as thick protuberances.

Table 1. Minimum number of individual katydids represented in remains collected from a Micronycteris hirsuta roost, and previously described anti-predator defenses specific to bats for each katydid species [sources in brackets].

Family and subfamily		Species	N total	N male	N female	N unknown sex	Anti-predator defenses specific to bats
Tettigoniidae		All	784	147	261	376
	Conocephalinae	Copiphora brevirostris	23	9	6	8	Infrequent calling (< 1 call / min; [28]), communicates with tremulation signals [20,28], large mandibles and a strong bite [3], stops singing in response to bat echolocation calls [26]
		Erioloides longipennis	5	0	0	5	Unknown
		Erioloides sp.	2	0	0	2	Unknown
		Neoconocephalus affinis	1	0	0	1	Calls continuously from grassy areas where gleaning bats do not hunt [8]; does not stop singing in response to gleaning bat echolocation calls [24]
		Subria sylvestris	2	0	0	2	Unknown
		Unknown species	20	2	1	17
	Phaneropterinae	Anapolisia colossea	2	1	1	0	Unknown
		Anaulacomera sp.	15	3	4	8	Unknown
		Ectemna dumicola	2	0	1	1	Unknown
		Hyperphrona irregularis	9	0	1	8	Unknown
		Hyperphrona trimaculata	3	0	0	3	Unknown
		Itarissa sp.	4	1	0	3	Unknown
		Lamprophyllum bugabae	2	0	1	1	Stops singing in response to bat echolocation calls (ter Hofstede, unpubl. data)
		Lamprophyllum micans	3	0	3	0	Unknown
		Lamprophyllum sp.	1	0	0	1	Unknown
		Microcentrum sp.	2	1	1	0	Unknown
		Orophus tessellatus	5	0	1	4	Unknown
		Phylloptera dimidiata	2	0	0	2	Unknown
		Phylloptera festae	2	0	1	1	Unknown
		Steirodon stalii	1	0	0	1	Dull but thick spines on thorax, sharp spines on hind legs, kicks hind legs when touched [3]
		Viadana sp.	1	0	0	1	Unknown
		Unknown species	22	3	1	18
	Pseudophyllinae	Acanthodis curvidens	10	0	0	10	Infrequent calling (< 1 call / min; [28]), communicates with tremulation signals, large mandibles and a strong bite, kicks with spiny legs, anecdotally noted that the males continue to sing in the presence of bats; produces startling sound when touched [3]
		Balboana tibialis	5	2	1	2	Regular calling (approx. 4–5 calls / min; [24,28]), communicates with tremulation signals [3], stops calling in response to bat echolocation calls [24].
		Bliastes punctifrons	18	6	6	6	Unknown
		Bliastes sp.	5	0	0	5	Unknown
		Brachyauchenus festae	1	0	0	1	Unknown
		Cocconotus wheeleri	7	0	0	7	Regular calling (approx. 1 call / min), communicates with tremulation signals, anecdotally noted that the males continue to sing in the presence of bat-like sounds [28].
		Cocconotus sp.	16	4	3	9	Unknown
		Docidocercus sp.	163	28	70	65	Regular calling (5–6 calls / min; [24, 28]), communicates with tremulation signals [28], reduced activity during bright moonlight phases [7], does not stop calling in response to gleaning bat echolocation calls [24].
		Idiarthron incurvum	20	8	10	2	Unknown
		Idiarthron majus	3	0	0	3	Infrequent calling (< 1 call / min), communicate with tremulation signals [28]
		Idiarthron sp.	25	0	0	25	Unknown
		Ischnomela gracilis	8	0	1	7	Frequent caller (30–40 calls / min), stops calling in response to gleaning bat echolocation calls [24].
		Ischnomela pulchripennis	2	0	2	0	Has a continuous calling song, but calls from a spiny bromeliad for protection [28]
		Melanonotus bradleyi	27	5	10	12	Infrequent calling, communicates with tremulation signals [8]
		Melanonotus sp.	28	5	9	14	Unknown
		Mimetica incisa	7	1	0	6	Leaf mimic [4]
		Mimetica viridifolia	4	0	0	4	Leaf mimic [4]
		Mimetica sp.	1	0	0	1	Leaf mimic [4]
		Parascopioricus lancifolius	11	1	4	6	Unknown
		Pristonotus tuberosus	8	0	1	7	Infrequent calling (ca. 1 call / min), communicates with tremulation signals, males produce a startling sound when touched [28]
		Thamnobates subfalcata	6	1	2	3	Unknown
		Xestoptera cornea	130	64	53	13	Regular calling (approx. 1 call / min), communicates with tremulation signals, males produce a startling sound when touched [28]
		Unknown species	150	2	67	81

Figure 2. Sample of culled katydid remains with identification numbers collected from a single Micronycteris hirsuta roost on one day. B: Blattodea wings, C: Coleoptera wings, T: Tettigoniidae (katydid) forewings, HW: hindwings, L: legs, O: ovipositors.

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