Phonotaxis: first sound then motion

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

What is Phonotaxis?

Phonotaxis is the movement by an animal in response to a sound. It has mostly been observed among crickets, moths, frogs, toads, and a few other creatures.
There are two types of phonotaxis: positive and negative.
Positive phonotaxis:
- The purpose of positive phonotaxis is attraction.
- It usually happens when the females of a particular species are attracted to the sounds made by the males.
Negative phonotaxis
- It serves to repel or warn, such as when the sound of a predator nearby signals to an animal that it needs to move away.
In 1984, scientists found that Mediterranean house geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus) use positive phonotaxis to their advantage. The fields that these geckos inhabited were also home to male decorated crickets (Gryllodessupplicans), which used species-specific sounds to attract the females from their burrows. The geckos recognised and followed this call until they reached the burrow, where they consumed the female crickets.

Source: TH