The Chirp of the The Chirp of the Common House Common House

CricketCricket        David Bryce EasterlyDavid Bryce Easterly

Undergraduate Zoology Undergraduate Zoology Tennessee Tech University, Tennessee Tech University,

Cookeville, TN 38505Cookeville, TN 38505

Project SummaryProject Summary► Problem:Problem: Does the size of the male house cricket Does the size of the male house cricket A. A.

domesticusdomesticus have relevance in determining the loudness of its have relevance in determining the loudness of its mating chirp.  mating chirp.  

► Objective:Objective: I am going to test the loudness of the mating call I am going to test the loudness of the mating call of the male house cricket of the male house cricket A. domesticusA. domesticus relative to its size. relative to its size.

► Hypothesis:Hypothesis: The size of the male The size of the male A. domesticusA. domesticus determines determines the loudness of the mating chirp, and there in determines the the loudness of the mating chirp, and there in determines the attractiveness to the female.attractiveness to the female.

► Null Hypothesis:Null Hypothesis: Is that there will be no difference in the Is that there will be no difference in the sound of the chirp in large and small males. sound of the chirp in large and small males.

► Goals:Goals: Are to test the sound pitch to see which is louder a Are to test the sound pitch to see which is louder a small male or a large male. small male or a large male.

► Expected Results:Expected Results: There will be a difference in my opinion There will be a difference in my opinion because the larger male should have more surface area to because the larger male should have more surface area to vibrate to make more sound. vibrate to make more sound.

IntroductionIntroduction

► Problem:Problem: Does the size of the male Does the size of the male Acheta Acheta domesticusdomesticus have relevance in determining the have relevance in determining the loudness of its mating chirp.  loudness of its mating chirp.   Females preferred tapes playing the chirps of Females preferred tapes playing the chirps of

large males , specifically chirps with a greater large males , specifically chirps with a greater number of pulses per chirp (Gray 1996).number of pulses per chirp (Gray 1996).

The study was to determine whether the chirps of The study was to determine whether the chirps of male house crickets male house crickets A. domesticusA. domesticus, provide , provide females with information about male morphological females with information about male morphological attributes, and whether females use this attributes, and whether females use this information during mate selection (Gray 1996).information during mate selection (Gray 1996).

Objective/ Hypothesis Objective/ Hypothesis StatementsStatements

►Objective:Objective: I am going to test the loudness I am going to test the loudness of the mating call of the male house cricket of the mating call of the male house cricket Acheta domesticus relative to its size. Acheta domesticus relative to its size.

►Hypothesis:Hypothesis: The size of the male The size of the male A. A. domesticusdomesticus determines the loudness of the determines the loudness of the mating chirp, and there in determines the mating chirp, and there in determines the attractiveness to the female.attractiveness to the female.

►Null Hypothesis:Null Hypothesis: My null hypothesis is that My null hypothesis is that there will be no difference in the sound of there will be no difference in the sound of the chirp in large and small males the chirp in large and small males

Methods and MaterialsMethods and Materials

► The crickets will be held in separate The crickets will be held in separate terrariumsterrariums 6 Terrarium6 Terrarium

►SandSand►Egg shell cartonEgg shell carton►waterwater

► Statistics:Statistics:► Chirps digitally recorded then placed on a Chirps digitally recorded then placed on a

computer to analyzecomputer to analyze ComputerComputer

►Digital recorderDigital recorder

Methods and Materials Methods and Materials (Con’t)(Con’t)

►Data Form:Data Form: ((click hereclick here))

Expected ResultsExpected Results

► I expect that the larger males will have I expect that the larger males will have a louder call than the smaller males.a louder call than the smaller males.

►Benefits:Benefits: Increase mating rates to benefit food Increase mating rates to benefit food

production for reptiles.production for reptiles. This study can relate to amphibians This study can relate to amphibians

calling for mates, and it is a smaller scale calling for mates, and it is a smaller scale so there is more control.so there is more control.

TimelineTimeline

► Timeline:Timeline: ((click hereclick here))

BudgetBudget

► Proposed Budget: Proposed Budget: ((click hereclick here))