Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 5 November 1982:
Vol. 218. no. 4572, pp. 580 - 582
DOI: 10.1126/science.218.4572.580
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Aggressive Signal in "Courtship" Chirps of a Gregarious Cricket

CHRISTINE R. B. BOAKE 1 and ROBERT R. CAPRANICA 1

1 Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853

Unlike other known species of crickets, Amphiacusta maya in Central America mates in groups. Experimentally silenced males experience reduced mating success, not owing to decreased receptivity by females, but owing to increased time spent fighting with other males that persistently interrupt silent courtships. Thus, the data indicate that "courtship" chirping functions as a warning to other males, rather than as a signal to females.

Submitted on March 29, 1982
Revised on June 15, 1982

To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)