Individual variation and repeatability in calling song of the field cricket Loxoblemmus equestris (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

摘要

Individual variation in the calling songs of field cricket species provides important information for the study of sexual selection, speciation, and inter-specific interaction among other cricket species. This study investigated individual variation in, and repeatability of song parameters of the field cricket Loxoblemmus equestris. High variations in nightly calling duration and the number of chirps per phrase were detected, whereas dominant frequency exhibited the lowest variations. Repeatability of all song parameters within individuals was significant, and the results showed that calling song of L. equestris can be considered a stereotyped signal.Repeatability of song parameters within families was also significant for all parameters except one. Although the repeatability within families was smaller than that within individuals, the results suggest that the calling song was heritable.