The Hawaiian cricket,Laupala

Laupala(Trigonidiinae,  Gryllidae) are small flightless crickets found on all the high islands of the Hawaiian archipelago.  A conspicuous feature of Laupala is the diverse variation in male courting song between species. The 37 species within the genus are morphologically similar but can be distinguished on the basis of pulse rate differences in the male song.  Male crickets sing to attract females during the courtship ritual and the species specific song plays an important role in mate recognition

In collaboration with Kerry Shaw from the University of Maryland, we are seeking to identify genetic variation associated with phenotypic variation in the mating song.   The research incorporates both a genome wide approach through the development of the Laupala genome linkage map using AFLPs (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) for QTL (quantitative trait loci) analysis, and a candidate locus approach through investigation of the Drosophila cacophony ion-channel gene as a candidate for affecting the rhythmic behaviour of the male mating song.  The broader aim of the research is to characterise molecular genetic aspects underlying phenotypic changes in song rhythm, and their contribution to speciation.

 The Na Pali coastline, Kauai

Hawaiian sunset, west coast, Oahu

Publications

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