Size matters: Eavesdropping on sexual signals
Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 08:21
in Psychology & Sociology
RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- In the animal kingdom, sexual signals often are manifested as displays of bright coloration or, in the case of crickets, as loud song. Adult male crickets produce loud song to attract females, but the song, which permeates the environment, can be overheard also by unintended receivers - such as young males unable to produce song due to a mutation they carry.