Abstract
The examination of agonistic behavior in Neotropical crickets provides insight into the intricate strategies they employ to establish dominance. This study focuses on Eidmanacris meridionalis, a non-stridulating species belonging to the Phalangopsidae family. Through observations of male-male encounters, we outline a sequence of behaviors, encompassing environmental and opponent recognition, agonistic conflict, and the determination of dominance and submission. Our observations unveil a diverse repertoire of agonistic behaviors, including body lifting, fighting, and biting, indicating the presence of complex communication and conflict resolution mechanisms. Antennal signaling and body size assessment likely serve as crucial factors in these interactions. Moreover, we note submissive males displaying behaviors akin to females during copulation, hinting at a potential interconnection between mating competition and agonistic interactions. These behaviors not only shape social hierarchies but also exert influence over reproductive success and survival. This study underscores the significance of ethological research in unraveling the intricacies of cricket biology and ecology while posing intriguing avenues for future investigations.