Acoustic Signals as Means of Premating Isolation in Field Crickets of Genus Teleogryllus

Abstract

Species delimitation is the process of identifying biological diversity at species level and defining their boundaries. It is also helpful in discovering new species. There are different methods for delimiting species boundaries such as morphological traits, DNA-barcoding, phylogenetic methods and reproductive isolation. One type of reproductive isolation is behavioural isolation which restricts mating between two different species due to difference in their mating behaviour. Acoustics can be used as a means to delimit species boundaries in field crickets. In crickets male produces different call types to attract females and this call is species specific i.e. females respond only to the calls of their conspecific males. In male crickets there is a sound producing apparatus known as file (row of teeth or pegs) present on the forewing which helps in sound production by the process known as Stridulation. Peg number, size and file length can be different in different species which can be the reason for difference in calls of different species.