Journal article

Publication year: 2015

Pages: 155-169

Journal: Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology

Volume number: 201

Issue number: 1

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-014-0962-7

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 

Insect ears evolved many times independently. As a consequence, a
striking diversity exists in the location, construction and behavioural
implementation of ears. In this review, we first summarise what is known
about the evolutionary origin of ears and the presumed precursor organs
in the various insect groups. Thereafter, we focus on selective forces
for making and keeping an ear: we discuss detecting and localising
predators and conspecifics, including establishing new “private”
channels for intraspecific communication. More advanced aspects involve
judging the distance of conspecifics, or assessing individual quality
from songs which makes auditory processing a means for exerting sexual
selection on mating partners. We try to identify negative selective
forces, mainly in the context of energy expenditure for developing and
keeping an ear, but also in conjunction with acoustic communication,
which incorporates risks like eavesdropping by predators and
parasitoids. We then discuss balancing pressures, which might oppose
optimising an ear for a specific task (when it serves different
functions, for example). Subsequently, we describe various scenarios
that might have led to a reduction or complete loss of ears in
evolution. Finally, we describe cases of sex differences in ears and
potential reasons for their appearance.

Harvard Citation style: Strauß, J. and Stumpner, A. (2015) Selective forces on origin, adaptation and reduction of tympanal ears in insects, Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology, 201(1), pp. 155-169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-014-0962-7

APA Citation style: Strauß, J., & Stumpner, A. (2015). Selective forces on origin, adaptation and reduction of tympanal ears in insects. Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology. 201(1), 155-169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-014-0962-7