Conservation of multivariate female preference functions and preference mechanisms in three species of trilling field crickets

Divergence in mate recognition systems among closely related species is an important contributor to assortative mating and reproductive isolation. Here we examine divergence in male song traits and female preference functions in three cricket species with songs consisting of long trills. The shape of female preference functions appears to be mostly conserved across species and follows the predictions from a recent model for song recognition. Multivariate preference profiles, combining the pulse and trill parameters, demonstrate selectivity for conspecific pulse rates and high trill duty cycles. The rules for integration across pulse and trill time scales were identical for all three species. Generally, we find greater divergence in male song traits than in associated female preferences. For pulse rate we find a strong match between divergent male traits and female peak preferences. Preference functions for trill parameters and carrier frequency are similar between species and show less ...

近缘物种间的配偶识别系统分化，是促成选型交配（assortative mating）与生殖隔离（reproductive isolation）的重要因素。本研究针对三种鸣唱由长颤鸣组成的蟋蟀（cricket）物种，探究其雄性鸣唱特征与雌性偏好函数（female preference functions）的分化情况。雌性偏好函数的形态在各物种间整体较为保守，且契合近期提出的鸣唱识别模型的预测结果。结合脉冲参数与颤鸣参数的多变量偏好特征（multivariate preference profiles）显示，雌性对同种个体的脉冲率（pulse rate）与高颤鸣占空比（trill duty cycle）具有选择偏好。三种物种在脉冲与颤鸣时间尺度的整合规则完全一致。总体而言，雄性鸣唱特征的分化程度高于其对应的雌性偏好。针对脉冲率，我们发现分化的雄性鸣唱特征与雌性偏好峰值之间存在高度匹配。不同物种间针对颤鸣参数与载波频率（carrier frequency）的偏好函数较为相似，分化程度更低……