Neuroethology of Acoustic Communication in Larval and Adult Insects

幼虫和成虫声音交流的神经行为学

• 批准号: RGPIN-2014-05947
• 负责人: Yack, Jayne
• 金额: $ 5.17万
• 依托单位: Carleton University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=630222
• 关键词: Neuroethology; Acoustic; Communication; Larval; Adult

The long-term objective of my NSERC research program is to explain how animals’ sensory systems are adapted to natural environments. Sensory organs are crucial for the day-to-day functioning and survival of all animals (including humans) playing integral roles in communication, orientation, and predator detection. In my Neuroethology & Bioacoustics Facility we study the acoustic sensory ‘worlds’ of (primarily) insects. Insects have an amazing diversity of sensory organs that detect and process acoustic (sound and vibration) signals extending far beyond human sensory capabilities. We employ specialized instruments and methods to tap into these communication channels and identify novel sensory organs. This program has supported cutting edge, internationally recognized research, including the discoveries that nocturnal butterflies possess ultrasound-sensitive ‘bat detecting’ ears, that caterpillars communicate through plant vibrations, and that earthworms surface in response to ground vibrations. The proposed research will build upon this success by focusing on butterflies, caterpillars and bark beetles- insects whose acoustic sensory capabilities are poorly understood. BUTTERFLY behaviour has been extensively researched and has contributed significantly to models of animal migration and global warming. While butterfly visual and chemical senses have been studied at length, surprisingly little is known about their hearing. We have shown that many species possess tiny ears on their wings. We will test the hypothesis that these ears function as ‘bird detectors’ and examine the neurophysiological mechanisms that allow a butterfly to detect and localize sounds in its environment. This research will expand our knowledge of the sensory ecology of insects, and will provide insights into the biomechanical, neurophysiological and neuroanatomical characteristics of these unusual ‘wing ears’. CATERPILLARS are of significant ecological and economic importance to Canada as forest and agricultural pests, yet, fundamental questions about how these insects sense and interact with their environment remain unanswered. We will explore the functions of acoustic signalling and hearing. For example, we will test the intriguing hypothesis that larvae create ‘vibratory fences’ to space themselves on their host plants, and that specialized elongated ‘hairs’ in monarch butterfly caterpillars function as hearing organs to detect predators. We will also identify novel vibration receptors in territorial caterpillars that compete using vibrations. This research will provide unprecedented insights into the communication systems of all larval insects, including those of honey bees, flies, beetles and moths. BARK BEETLES such as the mountain pine beetle and dutch elm beetle impose significant threats to Canadian forests. We have shown that they are acoustically active beneath tree bark in the sap layer where they make galleries that eventually kill the tree. We will test hypotheses on the roles of these signals in bark beetle survival, and will identify for the first time their acoustic sensory organs.Research on insect acoustic communication contributes to our knowledge of animal behaviour, neuroscience and entomology, and has practical applications for pest management, robotics and human health. Discovering and characterizing novel sensory organs will provide inspiration for developing miniature sensing devices and tools for pest control. Importantly, the proposed research will train HQP at all career stages in skills such as neurophysiology, microscopy, computer programming, videography, bioacoustics, and molecular genetics, preparing them for careers in forest and agricultural entomology, engineering, education, and environmental and health sciences.

我的NSERC研究项目的长期目标是解释动物的感觉系统是如何适应自然环境的。感觉器官对所有动物（包括人类）的日常功能和生存至关重要，在沟通、定向和捕食者探测方面发挥着不可或缺的作用。在我的神经行为学和生物声学设施中，我们研究（主要是）昆虫的声学感觉“世界”。昆虫有各种各样的感觉器官，它们可以探测和处理远远超出人类感官能力的声音（声音和振动）信号。我们使用专门的仪器和方法来挖掘这些沟通渠道并识别新的感觉器官。该项目支持了国际公认的前沿研究，包括发现夜间活动的蝴蝶拥有对超声波敏感的“蝙蝠探测”耳朵，毛毛虫通过植物振动进行交流，蚯蚓对地面振动做出反应。拟议中的研究将在这一成功的基础上，将重点放在蝴蝶、毛毛虫和树皮甲虫上——这些昆虫的声学感知能力尚不为人所知。蝴蝶的行为已被广泛研究，并对动物迁徙和全球变暖的模型做出了重大贡献。虽然人们对蝴蝶的视觉和化学感觉进行了详细的研究，但令人惊讶的是，人们对它们的听觉知之甚少。我们已经证明，许多物种的翅膀上都有小小的耳朵。我们将测试这些耳朵作为“鸟类探测器”的假设，并检查允许蝴蝶探测和定位其环境中的声音的神经生理机制。这项研究将扩大我们对昆虫感官生态学的认识，并将为这些不寻常的“翼耳”的生物力学、神经生理学和神经解剖学特征提供见解。作为森林和农业害虫，毛毛虫对加拿大具有重要的生态和经济意义，然而，关于这些昆虫如何感知和与环境相互作用的基本问题仍然没有答案。我们将探讨声信号和听觉的功能。例如，我们将测试一个有趣的假设，即幼虫会制造“振动栅栏”，将自己隔离在寄主植物上，以及帝王蝶毛虫特殊的细长“毛发”具有听觉器官的功能，可以探测捕食者。我们还将在利用振动竞争的领地毛虫中识别新的振动受体。这项研究将为包括蜜蜂、苍蝇、甲虫和飞蛾在内的所有昆虫幼虫的交流系统提供前所未有的见解。像山松甲虫和荷兰榆树甲虫这样的树皮甲虫对加拿大的森林构成了重大威胁。我们已经证明，它们在树皮下的树液层中具有声学活性，在那里它们形成通道，最终杀死树木。我们将测试这些信号在树皮甲虫生存中的作用的假设，并将首次确定它们的声学感觉器官。昆虫声通信的研究有助于我们了解动物行为、神经科学和昆虫学，并在害虫管理、机器人和人类健康方面具有实际应用。发现和表征新的感觉器官将为开发微型传感装置和害虫防治工具提供灵感。重要的是，拟议的研究将培训HQP在所有职业阶段的技能，如神经生理学、显微镜学、计算机编程、摄像学、生物声学和分子遗传学，为他们在森林和农业昆虫学、工程、教育、环境和健康科学等领域的职业做好准备。