Tegmina-size variation in a Neotropical cricket with implications on spectral song properties

Abstract

This study evaluates the relationship between shape and size of tegmen, harp, mirror, and spectral range of calling song frequency of a Neotropical cricket subpopulation (Lerneca inalata beripocone. In addition, we compare intraspecific morphological divergence and calling song properties between individuals from different sites of the Pantanal of Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Regression analysis showed that the dominant and maximum calling song frequencies were negatively correlated with tegmen size, i.e. frequencies are either lower or higher depending on the corresponding size variation in resonance structures of the forewings. Canonical variable analysis demonstrated marked intraspecific differences in morphometric characters between localities of a L. inalata subpopulation c. 35 km apart (SESC-Pantanal Advanced Research Base and Pouso Alegre Farm, Mato Grosso, Brazil). Lerneca inalata beripocone at SESC had larger forewings than conspecifics from Pouso Alegre Farm. These morphological variations of wing properties related to reproductive behaviours were interpreted as fitness parameters, likely shaped by restricted gene flow during temporal habitat isolation episodes. Such isolation patterns occur in the Pantanal wetlands for several months during the annual hydrological cycle.

KEYWORDS:

• Bioacoustics
• geometric morphometrics
• Grylloidea
• Pantanal wetlands

Acknowledgements

The following Brazilian colleagues contributed to our study: Adolfo Abel Pereira (BAPP, UFMT), Cristina Cuiabalia Neves (SESC Pantanal, Mato Grosso), Daniela Santos (UFV, Minas Gerais), Edison Zefa (UFPEL, Santa Catarina), Herval Nunes (UFRB, Bahia), Luciano de Pinho Martins (FAMETRO, Amazonas), Luiz Vicente da Silva Campos Filho (Pouso Alegre Farm, Mato Grosso), and Waldir Wolfgang Valutky (SESC Pantanal, Mato Grosso). We also appreciated the constructive comments by two anonymous referees.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Brazilian National Research Council, CNPq, Brasilia, Brazil [grant 704792/2009]; Science without Borders’ Program, CNPq, Brasilia, Brazil [grants 400019/2013-2 (KLS), 400037/2013-0 (OJ), 400017/2013-0 (TDG)]; National Institute for Science and Technology of Wetlands [INAU/CNPq/MCTIC], Brazil; Post-graduate Program in Agricultural Sciences of the Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia, Brazil; Biota of Orthoptera from Brazil-SISBIOTA [MCT/CNPq/MMA/MEC/CAPES/FNDCT; FAPEMIG - Ação Transversal 47/2010, Proc. 563360/2010-0 (FAP)]; PROTAX/CNPq 440664/2015-2]; and the Brehm Funds for International Bird Conservation, Bonn, Germany; CNPq, Brasilia, Brazil [400017/2013-0,400019/2013-2,400037/2013-0,704792/2009].