Linked Life Data

21147966

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/21147966

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
Pt 1
pubmed:dateCreated
2010-12-14
pubmed:abstractText
Caterpillar defenses have been researched extensively, and, although most studies focus on visually communicated signals, little is known about the role that sounds play in defense. We report on whistling, a novel form of sound production for caterpillars and rare for insects in general. The North American walnut sphinx (Amorpha juglandis) produces whistle 'trains' ranging from 44 to 2060 ms in duration and comprising one to eight whistles. Sounds were categorized into three types: broadband, pure whistles and multi-harmonic plus broadband, with mean dominant frequencies at 15 kHz, 9 kHz and 22 kHz, respectively. The mechanism of sound production was determined by selectively obstructing abdominal spiracles, monitoring air flow at different spiracles using a laser vibrometer and recording body movements associated with sound production using high-speed video. Contractions of the anterior body segments always accompanied sound production, forcing air through a pair of enlarged spiracles on the eighth abdominal segment. We tested the hypothesis that sounds function in defense using simulated attacks with blunt forceps and natural attacks with an avian predator - the yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia). In simulated attacks, 94% of caterpillars responded with whistle trains that were frequently accompanied by directed thrashing but no obvious chemical defense. In predator trials, all birds readily attacked the caterpillar, eliciting whistle trains each time. Birds responded to whistling by hesitating, jumping back or diving away from the sound source. We conclude that caterpillar whistles are defensive and propose that they function specifically as acoustic 'eye spots' to startle predators.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
1477-9145
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:day
1
pubmed:volume
214
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
30-7
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2011
pubmed:articleTitle
Whistling in caterpillars (Amorpha juglandis, Bombycoidea): sound-producing mechanism and function.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1S 5B6.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't