Dissertation Research: Acoustic Communication in a Subsocial Invertebrate

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9311109 Moore Unambiguous communication is a feature of populations that have structured social systems. Nonetheless, variation among individuals in their communication signals may be important in the establishment and maintenance of stable social organizations. However, the genetic basis and consequences of variation in acoustic communication are poorly understood. Ms. Deborah C. Clark's doctoral-dissertation research will attempt to clarify the role of acoustic communication in competition between males of a subsocial invertebrate, Gromphadorhina portentosa. This cockroach species is notable for its agonistic interactions among males, involving diverse and complex behavior including the use of agonistic hisses. Using behavioral, acoustic, and genetic techniques, Ms. Clark will quantify the variation among individuals in frequency, amplitude, duration, and temporal pattern of hisses occurring during interactions between males. Ms. Clark will estimate genetic variances and covariances for characteristics of agonistic hisses, and will conduct experiments to investigate the function of variation in hisses. This research is unique in investigating social competition and acoustic communication in a subsocial invertebrate. These studies will address important issues relevant to the evolution and use of acoustic signals in communication.