Hot-blooded singers: endothermy facilitates crepuscular signaling in African platypleurine cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Platypleura spp.) (original) (raw)

Abstract

The cicada genus Platypleura has a wide distribution across Africa and southern Asia. We describe endothermic thermoregulation in four South African species that show crepuscular signaling behavior. This is the first evidence of thermoregulation in platypleurine cicadas. Field measurements of body temperature (T b) show that these animals regulate T b through endogenous heat production. Maximum T b measured was 22.1°C above ambient temperature during calling activity at dusk. The mean T b during dusk activity did not differ from the mean T b during diurnal activity. A unique behavior for cicadas, a temperature-dependent telescoping pulsation of the abdomen, was observed in the laboratory during endogenous warm-up. This behavior is part of a unique method of heat generation in endothermic cicadas. Males generally call from trunks and branches within the canopy and appear to use endothermy even when the sun is available to elevate T b. Endothermy may provide the cicadas with the advantage of decreasing predation and acoustic competition by permitting calling from perches that most complement their cryptic coloration patterns and that ectotherms cannot use due to thermal constraints. In addition, endothermy may permit calling activity during crepuscular hours when atmospheric conditions are optimal for acoustic communication and predation risks are minimal.

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Acknowledgements

The field assistance and company of Jackie-Ann Rapson was greatly appreciated. A.F.S. received funding for this study by the Ambassador Jean Wilkowski Fellowship at Barry University. M.H.V. was funded by the Rhodes University Joint Research Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. School of Natural and Health Sciences, Barry University, 11300 NE Second Avenue, Miami Shores, FL, 33161-6695, USA
   Allen F. Sanborn
2. Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, 6140, Grahamstown, South Africa
   Martin H. Villet
3. 17446 SW 33rd Court, Miramar, FL, 33029, USA
   Polly K. Phillips

Authors

1. Allen F. Sanborn
2. Martin H. Villet
3. Polly K. Phillips

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Correspondence toAllen F. Sanborn.

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Sanborn, A.F., Villet, M.H. & Phillips, P.K. Hot-blooded singers: endothermy facilitates crepuscular signaling in African platypleurine cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Platypleura spp.).Naturwissenschaften 90, 305–308 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-003-0428-1

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• Received: 01 October 2002
• Accepted: 25 April 2003
• Published: 24 May 2003
• Issue date: July 2003
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-003-0428-1

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