Ear pinnae in a neotropical katydid (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) function as ultrasound guides for bat detection

Abstract

AbstractEarly predator detection is a key component of the predator-prey arms race, and has driven the evolution of multiple animal hearing systems. Katydids (Insecta) have sophisticated ears, each consisting of paired tympana on each foreleg that receive sound directly externally, and internally via a narrowing ear canal through the acoustic spiracle. These ears are pressure-time difference receivers capable of sensitive and accurate directional hearing across a wide frequency range, despite the small size of katydids. Many katydid species have cuticular pinnae which form cavities around the outer tympanal surfaces, but their function is unknown. We investigated pinnal function in the katydid Copiphora gorgonensis by combining experimental biophysics and numerical modelling using 3D ear geometries. Results show that the pinnae in C. gorgonensis do not assist in directional hearing for specific call frequencies, but instead pinnae act as ultrasound detector devices. Pinnae induced large sound pressure gains that enhanced sound detection at high ultrasonic frequencies (> 60 kHz), matching the echolocation range of co-occurring insectivorous bats. Comparing pinnal mechanics of sympatric katydid species supports these findings, and suggests that pinnae evolved in katydids primarily for enhanced predator detection. Audiograms (both behavioural and neural) and tympanal cavity resonances obtained from living specimens corroborate our findings.