Effect of hind-limb autotomy on calling and hiding behavior in the band-legged ground cricket, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dianemobius nigrofasciatus</Emphasis>

Crickets can escape death by autotomizing a limb when attacked by predators. In contrast with this benefit, autotomized individuals pay an immediate cost of escape speed and mating ability. Therefore, an adaptive response compensating for the cost of autotomy might be advantageous in autotomized individuals. In this study, we examined whether autotomy induced behavioral plasticity compensating for future cost in the band-legged ground cricket Dianemobius nigrofasciatus. Behavioral traits of D. nigrofasciatus were compared between autotomized and intact individuals. Frequency of calling behavior was higher for autotomized males. This behavior might be advantageous because females prefer actively calling males. In contrast with calling behavior, the frequencies of hiding behavior did not vary between autotomized and intact crickets, irrespective of sex. It might be disadvantageous for both sexes to hide, because females could not find hiding males and hiding females could not find males. These results indicated autotomy-induced behavioral plasticity that might reduce the cost of autotomy.