Second contribution to the knowledge of drumming signals of stoneflies from Corsica (Plecoptera: Nemouridae, Leuctridae and Perlodidae)

Abstract

In this second article on drumming signals of Corsican stoneflies, the complete vibrational duets of three species are described. Protonemura corsicana (Morton, 1930) shows the typical signal pattern of other studied Protonemura species, a two-way exchange with monophasic grouped call and monophasic answer. In absence of direct female answer, when the male had participated in a previous duet, the male can make a second signal just after it call similar to the female answer (probably mimicking it). That could act as a stimulation for the female because, sometimes, the female answers after it. Leuctra fraterna Morton, 1930 males and females communicate with three-way or two-way signal exchanges. Call, answer, and reply are remarkably similar in structure, a signal composed by usually three parts with different rhythm (varied beat-interval signal type). The complete Isoperla insularis (Morton, 1930) duet is described. The male call is a repeated monophasic signal (call train), and the female answer is a one beat signal. A particular interaction between I. insularis males, producing an inter-male rejection signal, is also described.

Keywords:

• Vibrational communication
• endemism
• inter-male rejection signal
• duet
• mate finding
• France

Acknowledgements

Authors thank the referees and the editor for their valuable comments that notably improved the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).