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Convergent evolution of anti-bat sounds
Aaron J Corcoran1, Nickolay I Hristov
1Department of Biology, Biology-Psychology Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA, aaron.j.corcoran@gmail.com.
Summary
A newly discovered sound-producing organ in the orange beggar moth (Eubaphe unicolor) generates ultrasonic clicks. These clicks mimic those of unpalatable tiger moths, suggesting a defense strategy against bat predation.
Area of Science:
- Bioacoustics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Insect Ecology
Background:
- Predator-prey interactions between bats and insects heavily involve acoustic sensing, including bat echolocation and insect hearing.
- Some insects produce sounds to deter bats, but the mechanisms are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a novel sound-producing organ in the orange beggar moth (Eubaphe unicolor).
- To investigate the evolutionary origins and functional morphology of this organ.
- To explore the acoustic mimicry hypothesis for bat defense in this species.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the sound-producing organ.
- High-speed videography to record click production.
- Acoustic analysis of E. unicolor clicks compared to sympatric tiger moths.
- Behavioral assays to assess palatability of moths to bats.
Main Results:
- A previously unknown prothoracic tymbal organ was identified in E. unicolor, producing ultrasonic clicks.
- SEM and videography revealed convergent evolution of thoracic tymbals in E. unicolor and tiger moths.
- Acoustic parameters of E. unicolor clicks partially overlapped with those of palatable tiger moths.
- E. unicolor was palatable to bats, unlike most sympatric clicking tiger moths.
Conclusions:
- E. unicolor possesses a tymbal organ analogous to those in tiger moths, indicating convergent evolution.
- The ultrasonic clicks produced by E. unicolor likely serve as acoustic mimicry.
- This mimicry may deceive bats into perceiving E. unicolor as unpalatable, similar to toxic tiger moths.
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