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The Effects of Temperature on Aggressive Behaviour in House Crickets
(Acheta domesticus)Celine Morais, Dalia Timani, Robin Sommerfeld
• Originated from northern Africa or southwestern Asia
• Have spread worldwide
• Prefer warm and moist conditions -Woodlands, pastures, fields -Inside man-made structures
House crickets (Acheta domesticus)
Aggressive Behavior
• Naturally display aggressive behavior
• Cricket fighting in China
• Males compete for suitable mates
Ectothermic organism
•Body temperature is influenced by their surrounding environment
•Past studies: Metabolic rates and locomotor activity increased with rising temperatures.
•Purpose: To test the effects of temperature on aggression in two male crickets by manipulating the temperature of their environment while in the presence of a female cricket
•Hypothesis: The intensity and frequency of male-male aggressive behaviour would increase with warmer temperatures and decrease with cooler temperatures.
Purpose & Hypothesis
Methods
Isolated crickets• 24 hours
Aggression tanks• 2 males + 1 female• 10 minutes
Temperature treatments
Hot (31°C) Warm (19°C) Cold (8°C)
Behavioural Scaling
Level 0: Mutual avoidanceLevel 1: Pre-established dominance
Level 2: Antennal fencing
Level 3: Unilateral mandible spreading
Level 4: Bilateral mandible spreadingLevel 5: Mandible lockingLevel 6: Wrestling
Brown et al. (2006)
• Hofmann and Schildberger (2001)
• Adamo and Hoy (1995)
• Booth and Kiddel (2007)
Previous Research Findings
General Conclusions• Hypothesis: It was predicted that an increase in intensity and
frequency of aggression would be observed as the temperature increased.
• Overall our hypothesis was supported as an increase in intensity and frequency was observed.
Possible Explanations for Findings• Frequency of crickets activity should have been recorded
• The use of wood shavings or too many wood shavings
• Lack of accessibility of female
Implications of the Findings
• Important in understanding energy budgets
• Cost of aggression in energy budgets on predator-prey interactions