Vibrational communication in the new insect order Mantophasmatodea.

Introduction: In Mantophasmatodea, both sexes produce vibrational communication signals. Two sympatric species, Karoophasma biedouwensis and an undescribed species, were used to determine the role of communication in a) species identity and b) potential mate location. Methods: Vibrational signals were recorded from laboratory-reared adults drumming directly onto the membrane of a loudspeaker. The digitized signals were analyzed using Sound Forge Software and were used in one-sided stimulation playback experiments. The responses of males and females to different calls were monitored on a Y-shaped apparatus. Results: Each sex produced a distinctive call. The female call consisted of repeated single pulses, whereas the more complex male call comprised repeated pulse trains. The calls of males and females of the two species were of similar general structure, but differed in most temporal characters such as pulse and pulse train repetition time. Females reacted to the call of conspecific males by calling and becoming less active, but did not react to the call of heterospecific males. Males exhibited abdominal rubbing, high tapping rates, increased activity and characteristic searching behaviour at the fork of the Y apparatus when presented with the call of a conspecific female. These responses were significantly depressed when males were stimulated with the call of a heterospecific female, or of a conspecific male. Conclusions: Temporal features of the vibrational signals used by duetting male and female Mantophasmatodea convey cues for both mate location and species recognition.