The combined effects of artificial light at night and anthropogenic noise on life history traits in ground crickets

Abstract

AbstractUrbanization affects various biotic and abiotic conditions through the disturbance and modification of the environment by human activity. Anthropogenic noise and artificial light at night (ALAN) associated with urbanization have negative impacts on wildlife. However, few studies have focused on the combined effects of noise and ALAN, and the counter‐adaptation of urban individuals to environmental pollution. We examined the single and combined effects of ALAN and noise on life history traits, including developmental period, survival rate, egg diapause, the number of progeny, and body size, of the cricket Dianemobius nigrofasciatus. We examined whether urban individuals are adapted to these factors by a common garden experiment using the crickets of both urban and rural origin. Our findings revealed no combined effect of ALAN and noise on the life‐history traits of D. nigrofasciatus except on that of survival and progeny production. Both ALAN and noise alone delayed development and prevented egg diapause. Neither noise nor ALAN had a significant effect on body size. The survival rate of rural crickets was not affected by noise and ALAN, but there was a negative synergetic effect. However, there were no significant effects of ALAN, noise, or their combined effect on the survival rate of urban crickets. These results suggest that urban individuals exhibit adaptive evolution to these factors. The number of progeny was positively affected by noise and not affected by ALAN, while the combined effect negatively affected the progeny production. The results suggest that a combined effect of noise and ALAN on important factors for the cricket such as survival and reproduction.