1. Vibrational noise disrupts Nezara viridula communication, irrespective of spectral overlapRok Janža, Nataša Stritih Peljhan, Aleš Škorjanc, Jernej Polajnar, Meta Virant-Doberlet, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Insects rely on substrate vibrations in numerous intra- and interspecific interactions. Yet, our knowledge of noise impact in this modality lags behind that in audition, limiting our understanding of how anthropogenic noise affects insect communities. Auditory research has linked impaired signal perception in noise (i.e., masking) to spectral overlap. We investigated the impact of noise with different spectral compositions on the vibrational communication of the stink bug Nezara viridula, examining courtship behaviour and signal representation by sensory neurons. We found negative effects of vibrational noise regardless of spectral overlap, challenging common expectations. Noise impaired the ability of males to recognize the female signal and localise its source: overlapping noise decreased sensitivity of receptor neurons to the signal and disrupted signal frequency encoding by phase-locking units, while non-overlapping noise only affected frequency encoding. Modelling neuronal spike triggering in sensory neurons linked disrupted frequency encoding to interference-induced alterations of the signal waveform. These alterations also affected time delays between signal arrivals to different legs, crucial for localisation. Our study thus unveils a new masking mechanism, potentially unique to insect vibrosensory systems. The findings highlight the higher vulnerability of vibration-mediated behaviour to noise, with implications for insect interactions in natural and anthropogenically altered environments. Ključne besede: biotremology, vibrations, noise, communication, neurons, masking, entomology, neurobiology Objavljeno v DiRROS: 21.11.2024; Ogledov: 133; Prenosov: 2474 Celotno besedilo (2,25 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
2. Predator-prey interactions and eavesdropping in vibrational communication networksMeta Virant-Doberlet, Ana Kuhelj, Jernej Polajnar, Rok Šturm, 2019, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Due to human perceptional bias in favor of air-borne sounds, substrate-borne vibrational signaling has been traditionally regarded as a highly specialized, inherently short-range and, consequently, a private communication channel, free from eavesdropping by sexual competitors and predators. In this review, we synthesize current knowledge pertinent to the view that most animals live in a rich vibratory world, where vibrational information is available to unintended receivers. In recent years, we realized that vibrational signaling is one of the oldest and taxonomically most widespread forms of communication by mechanical waves and that receptors detecting substrate vibrations are ubiquitous. In nature, substrate vibrations are reliable source of information readily available to all members of the animal community able to detect them. Viewing vibrational communication in more relevant ecological context reveals that animals relying on substrate vibrations live in complex communication networks. Long evolutionary history of this communication channel is reflected in varied and sophisticated predator-prey interactions guided by substrate-borne vibrations. Eavesdropping and exploitation of vibrational signals used in sexual communication have been so far largely neglected; however, existing studies show that generalist arthropod predators can intercept such signals emitted by insects to obtain information about prey availability and use that information when making foraging decisions. Moreover, males which advertise themselves for longer periods than females and with vibrational signals of higher amplitude face higher predation risk. It is likely that eavesdropping and exploitation of vibrational signals are major drivers in the evolution taking place in the vibratory world and we believe that studies of interspecific interactions guided by substrate vibrations will, in the future, offer numerous opportunities to unravel mechanisms that are central to understanding behavior in general. Ključne besede: biotremology, vibrational communication, communication network, predator-prey interactions, eavesdropping Objavljeno v DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Ogledov: 418; Prenosov: 391 Celotno besedilo (1,84 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
3. Bridging biotremology and chemical ecology : a new terminologyValerio Mazzoni, Gianfranco Anfora, Reginald Bifield Cocroft, Fatouros Nina E., Meta Virant-Doberlet, 2024, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Living organisms use both chemical and mechanical stimuli to survive in their environment. Substrate-borne vibrations play a significant role in mediating behaviors in animals and inducing physiological responses in plants, leading to the emergence of the discipline of biotremology. Biotremology is experiencing rapid growth both in fundamental research and in applications like pest control, drawing attention from diverse audiences. As parallels with concepts and approaches in chemical ecology emerge, there is a pressing need for a shared standardized vocabulary in the area of overlap for mutual understanding. In this article, we propose an updated set of terms in biotremology rooted in chemical ecology, using the suffix ‘-done’ derived from the classic Greek word ‘δονέω’ (pronounced ‘doneo’), meaning ‘to shake’. Ključne besede: vibrational communication, chemical ecology, biotremology, semiophysicals, pherodones, allelodones, zoology Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.07.2024; Ogledov: 344; Prenosov: 199 Celotno besedilo (679,97 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
4. Leafhopper males compensate for unclear directional cues in vibration-mediated mate localizationJernej Polajnar, Ana Kuhelj, Rok Janža, Nada Žnidaršič, Tatjana Simčič, Meta Virant-Doberlet, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Ambient noise and transmission properties of the substrate pose challenges in vibrational signal-mediated mating behavior of arthropods, because vibrational signal production is energetically demanding. We explored implications of these challenges in the leafhopper Aphrodes makarovi (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) by exposing males to various kinds of vibrational noise on a natural substrate and challenging them to find the source of the female playback. Contrary to expectations, males exposed to noise were at least as efficient as control males on account of similar searching success with less signaling effort, while playing back male–female duets allowed the males to switch to satellite behavior and locate the target without signaling, as expected. We found altered mitochondrial structure in males with high signaling effort that likely indicate early damaging processes at the cellular level in tymbal muscle, but no relation between biochemical markers of oxidative stress and signaling effort. Analysis of signal transmission revealed ambiguous amplitude gradients, which might explain relatively low searching success, but it also indicates the existence of behavioral adaptations to complex vibrational environments. We conclude that the observed searching tactic, emphasizing speed rather than thorough evaluation of directional cues, may compensate for unclear stimuli when the target is near. Ključne besede: biotremology, vibrational communication, sexual behavior of insects, impact of noise on behavior, metabolism of vibrational production Objavljeno v DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Ogledov: 271; Prenosov: 252 Celotno besedilo (2,12 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
5. Wing buzzing as a mechanism for generating vibrational signals in psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea)Jernej Polajnar, Elizaveta Kvinikadze, Adam W. Harley, Igor Malenovský, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Psyllids, or jumping plant lice (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Psylloidea), are a group of small phytophagous insects that include some important pests of crops worldwide. Sexual communication of psyllids occurs via vibrations transmitted through host plants, which play an important role in mate recognition and localization. The signals are species-specific and can be used to aid in psyllid taxonomy and pest control. Several hypotheses have been proposed for the mechanism that generates these vibrations, of which stridulation, that is, friction between parts of the forewing and thorax, has received the most attention. We have investigated vibrational communication in the European pear psyllid species Cacopsylla pyrisuga (Foerster, 1848) using laser vibrometry and high-speed video recording, to directly observe the movements associated with signal production. We describe for the first time the basic characteristics of the signals and signal emission of this species. Based on observations and analysis of the video recordings using a point-tracking algorithm, and their comparison with laser vibrometer recordings, we argue that males of C. pyrisuga produce the vibrations primarily by wing buzzing, that is, tremulation that does not involve friction between the wings and thorax. Comparing observed signal properties with previously published data, we predict that wing buzzing is the main mechanism of signal production in all vibrating psyllids. Ključne besede: biotremology, substrate-borne vibrational signals, vibrational signals, jumping plant lice, tremulation Objavljeno v DiRROS: 19.06.2024; Ogledov: 397; Prenosov: 3302 Celotno besedilo (2,29 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |