The role of the male's cerci in copulation and mate guarding in decorated crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus)

Abstract

Cerci are paired, sensory appendages extending from the terminal abdominal segment of crickets. While the cerci are acutely sensitive to air currents and thereby function in the detection of potential predators, they are also known to play a role in co-ordinating movements of males and females during copulation. The role of the male's cerci at four stages of the mating sequence (courtship, copulation, mate guarding and spermatophore removal) was examined by experimentally removing the cerci of male decorated crickets Gryllodes sigillatus and comparing their mating success with that of control males. The mating success of cercectomized males was significantly reduced relative to control males, primarily because of their greater inability to induce females to mount. Even when they succeeded in securing an initial mount, cercectomized males took significantly longer to transfer a spermatophore than did control males. Cercectomy had no influence on the efficacy of post-copulatory mate guarding by males, nor did females discriminate against cercectomized males by removing their spermatophores sooner than those of control males. We conclude that the primary function of the male's cerci in sexual interactions in G. sigillatus is to provide tactile stimuli to females that either elicit or guide their mounting response.