Isophya sicula sp. n. (Orthoptera: Tettigonioidea), a new, morphologically cryptic bush-cricket species from the Eastern Carpathians (Romania) recognized from its peculiar male calling song

Abstract

The morphology and pair-forming acoustic signals of Isophya sicula sp. n., a new phaneropterine bush-cricket species from the Eastern Carpathians (Romania) is described. The species is morphologically similar to I. posthumoidalis and I. camptoxypha, but the male calling song differs clearly from the songs of those species. The male calling song is a long series of evenly repeated, very short syllables. Syllables are much shorter than in I. camptoxypha, and the song is composed from only one syllable type differently from I. posthumoidalis, where the male calling song is composed of two syllable types. Pair formation is achieved during an acoustic duet. The delay of female response (40–70 ms) is shorter than in I. camptoxypha and I. posthumoidalis. Basic descriptive statistics of sonometric and morphometric characters of the new species as well as SEM photos of the male stridulatory file and female stridulatory bristles are presented.

Singing in the suburbs: point count surveys efficiently reveal habitat associations for nocturnal Orthoptera across an urban-to-rural gradient

“…This is especially true in circumstances where there may be cryptic species, hybrid zones, etc. (e.g., Orci et al 2010). In such circumstances, alternatives might be to identify insect song 'morpho-types' or to focus primarily on automated recording/detection methods (Lehmann et al 2014).…”

Acoustic analysis reveals a new cryptic bush–cricket in the Carpathian Mountains (Orthoptera, Phaneropteridae)

“…This late production of after–clicks may function as the trigger element for female acoustic answer. Another possibility is that longer silent gaps may help the male to save up energy or simply listen to its environment, in order to detect possible threats or other singing males (Orci et al 2010b, Szövényi et al 2012). …”

“…Dissimilar to morphological homogeneity in genus Isophya , the specific structure of male acoustic signals shows clear differences in close related species and is used as the most effective tool for identifying and clarifying taxonomic relations (Heller et al 2004, Chobanov 2009, Orci et al 2010a, 2010b, Szövényi et al 2012). Contrary to this general opinion, a recent study on several related Isophya species from Asia Minor suggests that, in some cases, evolutionary changes in song appear slower than in morphology (Sevgili et al 2012).…”

“…Contrary to this general opinion, a recent study on several related Isophya species from Asia Minor suggests that, in some cases, evolutionary changes in song appear slower than in morphology (Sevgili et al 2012). In this genus, the male–female pair is usually formed during an acoustic duet; females locate the males by phonotaxis and respond to their songs with simple impulses (Orci et al 2001, Orci 2007, Orci et al 2010a, 2010b) or complicated click–series (Iorgu 2012) within a species–specific time span. …”

High-speed duetting – latency times of the female acoustic response within the bush-cricket genera Leptophyes and Andreiniimon (Orthoptera, Phaneropteridae)

“…In the species-rich genus Isophya , however, the situation is different. Some species also possess trigger elements in the male song, and the females respond shortly after these markings (e.g., I. bucovinensis ; Iorgu et al 2017, see Iorgu 2012b for similar examples), but in others the female response seems to be triggered by any syllable of the male song (e.g., I. sicula ; Orci et al 2010), and in still others the female response occurs invariably with a fixed and relatively long delay after the end of the male song (e.g., I. stepposa ; Zhantiev and Korsunovskaya 1986). …”