Skip to main content

Acoustic duetting in Drosophila virilis relies on the integration of auditory and tactile signals

Author(s): LaRue, Kelly M; Clemens, Jan; Berman, Gordon J; Murthy, Mala

Download
To refer to this page use: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/pr11834203
Abstract: Many animal species, including insects, are capable of acoustic duetting, a complex social behavior in which males and females tightly control the rate and timing of their courtship song syllables relative to each other. The mechanisms underlying duetting remain largely unknown across model systems. Most studies of duetting focus exclusively on acoustic interactions, but the use of multisensory cues should aid in coordinating behavior between individuals. To test this hypothesis, we develop Drosophila virilis as a new model for studies of duetting. By combining sensory manipulations, quantitative behavioral assays, and statistical modeling, we show that virilis females combine precisely timed auditory and tactile cues to drive song production and duetting. Tactile cues delivered to the abdomen and genitalia play the larger role in females, as even headless females continue to coordinate song production with courting males. These data, therefore, reveal a novel, non-acoustic, mechanism for acoustic duetting. Finally, our results indicate that female-duetting circuits are not sexually differentiated, as males can also produce ‘female-like’ duets in a contextdependent manner.
Publication Date: 5-Jun-2015
Electronic Publication Date: 5-Jun-2015
Citation: LaRue, Kelly M, Clemens, Jan, Berman, Gordon J, Murthy, Mala. (2015). Acoustic duetting in Drosophila virilis relies on the integration of auditory and tactile signals. eLife, 4 (10.7554/eLife.07277)
DOI: doi:10.7554/eLife.07277
EISSN: 2050-084X
Type of Material: Journal Article
Journal/Proceeding Title: eLife
Version: Final published version. This is an open access article.



Items in OAR@Princeton are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.