Mating Choice in Crickets (acheta Domesticus)

Mating Choice in Crickets (Acheta domesticus)

Abstract:

The Acheta domesticus, or more commonly known as an average cricket,

Introduction:

By studying and analyzing the mating choice of Acheta domesticus we can better determine the characteristics of the species which could possibly help with other questions towards sexual selection and adaptation towards their environment. The question we will be inquiring through our experiment is if the color of the male Acheta domesticus cricket has an effect on the mating choice of the female. Through an experiment by Mindy Nelson and Thomas Nolen , the idea that female crickets chose their male partners by the characteristics of their courtship song was supported. This is the most prevalent known mating choice that is known for the cricket species.

Our group also consulted a St. Edward's professor, Dr. Engel, about what light frequencies are visible to a cricket's eye. She informed us that crickets are unable to differentiate color but is able to see light and dark differentiations. We decided to perform an experiment to find out the Acheta domesticus mating choice in terms of a darker cricket versus a lighter colored cricket. Through this experiment we can view sexual selection which can lead us to assumptions of adaptation of crickets as well. If crickets were to be more attracted to lighter colored crickets then the numbers of lighter colored crickets will increase which may hinder their survival rates. Lighter colored crickets can be seen more clearly in their environment and cannot camouflage as well with foliage, dirt, branches, ect. than darker colored crickets.

Our hypothesis, which we based our experiment on, is that female crickets will be more apt to mate with a cricket painted white since they are more attracted to the lighter light frequency.

Methods:

To test the mating choice of the Acheta domesticus, the crickets were separated by gender kept them apart until they were needed for the experiment. This is to ensure that the crickets will want to mate when it came time for the experiment. Ten male crickets were chosen and placed into a cage with five female crickets. The crickets were observed for fifteen minutes and the number of times a male cricket would mount a female cricket was recorded on a data table. This was considered the control experiment. Next, five male crickets were taken and had their backs painted with white non-toxic paint, indicating a color change in the crickets. These five crickets were placed in the empty cage with five non-painted crickets and another five female crickets. Again the crickets mating choice were observed, for fifteen minutes, and recorded which males (painted or not painted) mounts how many females.