The evolutionary origins of ritualized acoustic signals in caterpillars

Jaclyn L. Scott, Akito Y. Kawahara, Jeffrey H. Skevington, Shen-Horn Yen, Abeer Sami, Myron L. Smith and Jayne E. Yack ()
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Jaclyn L. Scott: Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive
Akito Y. Kawahara: University of Maryland, 4112 Plant Sciences Building
Jeffrey H. Skevington: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes, 960 Carling Avenue, K.W. Neatby Building
Shen-Horn Yen: National Sun Yat-Sen University
Abeer Sami: Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive
Myron L. Smith: Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive
Jayne E. Yack: Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive

Nature Communications, 2010, vol. 1, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Animal communication signals can be highly elaborate, and researchers have long sought explanations for their evolutionary origins. For example, how did signals such as the tail-fan display of a peacock, a firefly flash or a wolf howl evolve? Animal communication theory holds that many signals evolved from non-signalling behaviours through the process of ritualization. Empirical evidence for ritualization is limited, as it is necessary to examine living relatives with varying degrees of signal evolution within a phylogenetic framework. We examine the origins of vibratory territorial signals in caterpillars using comparative and molecular phylogenetic methods. We show that a highly ritualized vibratory signal—anal scraping—originated from a locomotory behaviour—walking. Furthermore, comparative behavioural analysis supports the hypothesis that ritualized vibratory signals derive from physical fighting behaviours. Thus, contestants signal their opponents to avoid the cost of fighting. Our study provides experimental evidence for the origins of a complex communication signal, through the process of ritualization.

Date: 2010
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1002

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