The Special Significance of Mechanical Senses

Barth, Friedrich G.

doi:10.1007/978-3-662-04899-3_6

Cited by 33 publications

(135 citation statements)

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“…Airborne signals, however, can cause substrate-borne vibrations—a phenomenon that can make it difficult to determine whether an animal is perceiving stimuli via the air or the substrate (see [3]). This is particularly problematic in spiders where sensitivity to vibrations is well documented [4–6]. We therefore used a 25 × 25 × 2 cm metal block (14.3 kg) as the arena floor, limiting transmission of airborne sound energy into substrate-borne vibrations [7].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since sensory hairs are responsible for detection of airborne stimuli in other spider species [6] and numerous insect species (for reviews see [11,12]), we investigated the role of hairs in this system. In the non-anechoic laboratory we presented pure tones between 50 – 80 dB SPL (2 m between source and animal).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, previous work on the spider Cupiennius , has clearly demonstrated the role of air-flow sensitive hairs in facilitating responses to airborne stimuli [11,25,26]. It has been reported that some spider species may detect airborne stimuli via slit sense organs [27,28], mechanoreceptors typically thought to be important in detecting cuticle deformation and substrate-based vibrations [6]. However, while these structures exist in jumping spiders, their ability to register airborne cues has not been demonstrated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Airborne Acoustic Perception by a Jumping Spider

et al. 2016

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Summary Jumping spiders (Salticidae) are famous for their visually driven behaviors [1]. Here, however, we present behavioral and neurophysiological evidence that these animals also perceive and respond to airborne acoustic stimuli, even when the distance between the animal and the sound source is relatively large (~3 m) and with stimulus amplitudes at the position of the spider of ~65 dB SPL. Behavioral experiments with the jumping spider Phidippus audax reveal that these animals respond to low frequency sounds (80 Hz; 65 dB SPL) by freezing—a common anti-predatory behavior characteristic of an acoustic startle response. Neurophysiological recordings from auditory-sensitive neural units in the brains of these jumping spiders showed responses to low-frequency tones (80 Hz at ~65 dB SPL); recordings that also represent the first record of acoustically-responsive neural units in the jumping spider brain. Responses persisted even when the distances between spider and stimulus source exceeded 3 m and under anechoic conditions. Thus, these spiders appear able to detect airborne sound at distances in the acoustic far-field region, beyond the near-field range often thought to bound acoustic perception in arthropods that lack tympanic ears (e.g. spiders) [2]. Further, direct mechanical stimulation of hairs on the patella of the foreleg was sufficient to generate responses in neural units that also responded to airborne acoustic stimuli—evidence that these hairs likely play a role in the detection of acoustic cues. We suggest that these auditory responses enable the detection of predators and facilitate an acoustic startle response.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Airborne Acoustic Perception by a Jumping Spider

et al. 2016

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“…The central nervous system of Poecilotheria and Argiope aurantia (Lucas) was described in detail by Babu (1965, 1969, 1975). It was also investigated by Babu and Barth (1984), Wegerhoff and Breidbach (1995), Barth (2002), Hwang and Moon (2003), Hill (2006), Park and Moon (2013), and Park et al (2013). The central nervous system of spiders can be described as a highly condensed organ consisting of two parts: the supraoesophageal ganglion (brain) and the fused suboesophageal ganglia, both located in the prosoma.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Morphological and anatomical changes related to leg anomalies in Tegenaria atrica

2015

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A range of leg anomalies was detected in embryos of the Tegenaria atrica spiders exposed to alternating temperatures of 14 and 32 °C. Multiple anomalies were observed in 13 individuals. This study is based on five individuals: two individuals affected by oligomely combined, respectively, with heterosymely and polymely, one affected by polymely with heterosymely, one by complicated polymely (accompanied by the reduction in length and malformations of the distal parts of the legs), and one individual with pure polymely. Changes in the central nervous system of these five individuals were described in detail on the basis of histological sections. The changes were mainly related to the number of neuromeres. Individuals affected by polymely had additional ganglia corresponding to the number of additional appendages, whereas the absence of a leg (oligomely) was associated with the absence of a ganglion. Histological analysis showed the fusion of ganglia in the three polymelic specimens, even though additional appendages were not fused.

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“…Tremulation may serve as a means for short distance communication on a “private channel” not detectable by relevant predators such as bats (Römer et al 2010). It still may be detectable, though, to other predators like spiders (e.g., Barth 2002; Virant-Doberlet et al 2011). In N. reticulatus, however, the tremulation signal was a regular event occurring during as well as without singing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

True Katydids (Pseudophyllinae) from Guadeloupe: Acoustic Signals and Functional Considerations of Song Production

Stumpner

Dann

Schink

et al. 2013

Journal of Insect Science

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Guadeloupe, the largest of the Leeward Islands, harbors three species of Pseudophyllinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) belonging to distinct tribes. This study examined the basic aspects of sound production and acousto-vibratory behavior of these species. As the songs of many Pseudophyllinae are complex and peak at high frequencies, they require high quality recordings. Wild specimens were therefore recorded ex situ. Collected specimens were used in structure-function experiments. Karukerana aguilari Bonfils (Pterophyllini) is a large species with a mirror in each tegmen and conspicuous folds over the mirror. It sings 4–6 syllables, each comprising 10–20 pulses, with several peaks in the frequency spectrum between 4 and 20 kHz. The song is among the loudest in Orthoptera (> 125 dB SPL in 10 cm distance). The folds are protective and have no function in song production. Both mirrors may work independently in sound radiation. Nesonotus reticulatus (Fabricius) (Cocconotini) produces verses from two syllables at irregular intervals. The song peaks around 20 kHz. While singing, the males often produce a tremulation signal with the abdomen at about 8–10 Hz. To our knowledge, it is the first record of simultaneous calling song and tremulation in Orthoptera. Other males reply to the tremulation with their own tremulation. Xerophyllopteryx fumosa (Brunner von Wattenwyl) (Pleminiini) is a large, bark-like species, producing a syllable of around 20 pulses. The syllables are produced with irregular rhythms (often two with shorter intervals). The song peaks around 2–3 kHz and 10 kHz. The hind wings are relatively thick and are held between the half opened tegmina during singing. Removal of the hind wings reduces song intensity by about 5 dB, especially of the low frequency component, suggesting that the hind wings have a role in amplifying the song.

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The Special Significance of Mechanical Senses

Cited by 33 publications

References 0 publications

Airborne Acoustic Perception by a Jumping Spider

Airborne Acoustic Perception by a Jumping Spider

Morphological and anatomical changes related to leg anomalies in Tegenaria atrica

True Katydids (Pseudophyllinae) from Guadeloupe: Acoustic Signals and Functional Considerations of Song Production

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