Descriptions of the calling and courtship songs of Tibicen esfandiarii Dlabola, 1970 (Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae)

Abstract

The calling song of Tibicen esfandiarii Dlabola, 1970 is described for the first time. The calling song consists of a continuous train of syllables (3–9 ms) and short intersyllable intervals (0.4 to 1.9 ms). The song begins at a lower intensity, increasing intensity through a series of steps to the ultimate portion of the call that is produced for an extended period at this loudest intensity. The song terminates after a short pause (2 ms) that is followed by about 0.5 s of singing. The total syllable repetition frequency is 193.1±60.24 Hz (n = 48 measurements from six individuals) and the frequency of the average peak energy of calling song is 4875±59.45 Hz (n = 6 individuals) and courtship songs (n = 15 parts of call from one individual) is 4875±0 Hz. The courtship song consists of alternative phrases usually starting after a short pause (average of 70.8±4.85 ms) and syllable frequency reducing from the average of 157.0±7.1 Hz to 128.4±1.67 Hz. The duration, frequency of syllables and the average RMS amplitude in different portions of the song and in different specimens are measured and the behavior of the specimen during song production is described. We show significant differences in the frequency and temporal components of T. esfandiarii from its congeneric species, Tibicen plebejus (Scopoli, 1763), with which is shares part of its range in Iran.