Behavioral coupling in tettigoniid hybrids (Orthoptera)

Studies of the mating behavior of male and female F₁ hybrids between closely related taxa can provide information concerning the genetic control of characters that play a major role in speciation. Orthoptera have been used previously for such studies. Hybrid crickets show behaviors which are broadly intermediate to the parentals but hybrid grasshoppers may retain parental behavior patterns. This study examines the behavior of hybrid Ephippiger ephippiger bushcrickets, the third major orthopteran group. The differences in male song and female preference are probably both mainly additive and male song differences not sex linked. Thus, given a choice, hybrid females would prefer to mate with hybrid males, an example of "behavioral coupling." The evolutionary inferences which can be drawn from studies of F₁ hybrids between closely related taxa are discussed.