RSG: The evolution of vibrational communication in island endemics: function, fitness implications, ontogeny, and phylogeny of seismic signaling in the New Zealand Deinacrida

了解动物通过底物振动进行交流的作用机制和进化起源是行为生态学中的一个重要问题。便携式激光多普勒测振仪、高灵敏度压电薄膜和换能器以及便携式神经生理学制剂等技术的出现，使研究人员能够解决与振动通信相关的一系列问题。这项研究测试了关于现存新西兰恐龙之间的振动交流的形式、功能、健康含义、个体发育和系统发育的假说。这项工作针对新西兰巨型Weta的11个物种中的每一个解决了以下问题：1)该物种是否出于种内交流的目的而产生振动信号，如果是的话，该信号的光谱和时间特征是什么？2)该物种对地震刺激的反应的神经生理范围是什么？3)这些信号是在什么社会背景下产生的，信号特征是否随环境而改变？4)该物种对振动信号的适合性有什么影响(评估在雄性之间的比赛中受益，雌性对交配状况的评估)？5)在物种的发育过程中，振动的使用是如何改变的(捕食者回避生殖功能)？6)不同物种之间振动信号的形式和功能如何比较？以及7)振动信号与生态位之间是否存在关系？在过去的二十年里，人们对了解动物交流的功能机制和进化起源越来越感兴趣。便携式激光多普勒测振仪等新技术使研究人员能够解决与昆虫振动通讯有关的一系列广泛问题。这项工作将提高对选择压力和进化模式的理解，这些压力和进化模式导致了用于交流的振动信号的流行。使用现场激光多普勒测振、实验室细胞外电生理学，以及新西兰巨型Weta的声音和高速视频分析，将检验Vibrative通信中的关键假设。数据收集和分析将由奥古斯塔纳学院的本科生和惠灵顿维多利亚大学注册的毛利人后裔学生进行。

Understanding the functional mechanisms and evolutionary origins of animal communication through substrate borne vibration is an important problem in behavioral ecology. The availability of technologies such as portable laser Doppler vibrometers, highly sensitive piezoelectric films and transducers, and portable neurophysiology preparations allow investigators to address a broad array of questions associated with vibrational communication. This research tests hypotheses regarding the form, function, fitness implications, ontogeny, and phylogeny of vibrational communication among the extant New Zealand Deinacrida. This work addresses the following questions with respect to each of the eleven species of New Zealand giant weta: 1) Does the species produce vibrational signals for the purpose of intraspecific communication, and if so what are the spectral and temporal characteristics of the signals? 2) What is the neurophysiological range of response to seismic stimuli in the species? 3) Under what social contexts are the signals produced, and does signal character change with context? 4) What are the fitness related implications for vibrational signaling in the species (assessment benefits in inter male contests, female assessment of mate condition)? 5) How does the use of vibration change over the course of development in the species (predator avoidance to reproductive function)? 6) How do the form and function of vibrational signals compare between species? , and 7) Is there a relationship between vibrational signaling and ecological niche? In the last two decades there has been a growing interest in understanding the functional mechanisms and evolutionary origins of animal communication. New technologies such as portable laser Doppler vibrometers allow investigators to address a broad array of questions associated with vibrational communication in insects. This work will improve understanding of the selective pressures and evolutionary patterns that have resulted in the prevalence of vibrational signaling for communication. Using laser Doppler vibrometry in the field, extracellular electrophysiology in the laboratory, together with sound and high-speed video analysis of the New Zealand giant weta, key hypotheses in vibrative communication will be tested. Data collection and analysis will be performed by undergraduate research students from Augustana College and by students of Maori descent enrolled at Victoria University of Wellington.