Lack of perceived sperm competition risk increases post-copulatory song in Pacific field crickets

Mate guarding enables males to bias fertilization, increase their share of paternity, and thereby enhance reproductive success. When the risk of sperm competition is high, males may benefit from investing more in guarding behaviors. While some species physically restrain females during guarding, others use more passive tactics. Male Pacific field crickets (Teleogryllus oceanicus) sing after mating to entice females to stay, even though they cannot mate again immediately. Post-copulatory song effectively keeps females in proximity, prolongs spermatophore attachment, and ultimately enhances male reproductive success. We investigated whether cues about the risk of sperm competition determine male investment in post-copulatory song. Additionally, we studied whether hearing cricket calls either during rearing or immediately before mating modified the listeners' behavior. Males exposed to acoustic cues of male competitors during rearing or immediately before mating were not more likely t..., , # Lack of perceived sperm competition risk increases post-copulatory song in Pacific field crickets

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.ncjsxkt7r](10.5061/dryad.ncjsxkt7r)

## Description of the data and file structure

We conducted a controlled laboratory experiment to investigate whether male Pacific field crickets (*Teleogryllus oceanicus*) adjust their post-copulatory mate guarding behavior in response to acoustic cues of sperm competition. Using a 2×2 factorial design, we manipulated both the early-life (rearing) and immediate acoustic environments by exposing males to either male calling song or silence. We then measured whether males produced post-copulatory song following mating, as well as the timing and duration of their singing behavior. These efforts aimed to assess how social acoustic environments shape long-term mating strategies and investment in mate guarding.

### Files and variables

#### File: Lack_of_perceived_sperm_competition_risk_increases_post-copulatory_song_in_Pacific...,