Bioacoustics of Amblycorypha monticola

Description. — Color is usually green. Lateral lobe of the pronotum with shallow humeral sinus and the metasternal lobes are transverse (see characteristics of the rotundifolia complex, Walker et al. 2003 ). Morphological measurements ( x ̄ ± SE in mm, N) of females average PrnL : 6.0 ± 0.04, 34; PrnW : 4.1 ± 0.03, 34; TegL : 25.1 ± 0.18, 33; TegW : 8.2 ± 0.07, 34; FemL : 24.2 ± 0.18, 32; TibL : 24.9 ± 0.23, 32; OviL : 10.0 ± 0.08, 34. Male measurements averaged PrnL : 5.3 ± 0.03, 61; PrnW : 3.9 ± 0.02, 61; TegL : 25.2 ± 0.13, 61; TegW : 8.4 ± 0.08, 61; FemL : 23.0 ± 0.14, 57; TibL : 24.2 ± 0.18, 56 (Table 1 ). Calling songs of A. monticola are emitted as regularly timed echemes consisting of 4–7 syllables. Echemes are constantly produced at ~ 1.6 / s at 25 ° C, which transitions to a faster series of echemes emitted at 3.1 / s at 25 ° C. In later portions of the fast series, ticks are emitted between the echemes. Within the echemes, the syllable rates are 45 / s at 25 ° C and are the same whether echemes are sung slow or fast.

Differential diagnosis. — Morphologically, A. monticola is cryptic with A. alexanderi and A. rotundifolia , two species whose populations are typically found near those of A. monticola . A. monticola are most easily distinguished from all members of the rotundifolia complex by their unique calling song. Males produce syllables at faster rates, 45 / s at 25 ° C, than any other species in the complex. While calling, 4–7 syllables are grouped into rhythmic echemes, a structure not found in other species’ songs. Echemes are constantly produced at slow rates of 1.6 / s at 25 ° C. Males then transition to faster echemes reaching peak rates of 3.1 / s at 25 ° C followed by echemes separated by one or two ticks. Populations of A. monticola tend to be at elevations above ~ 1000 m , whereas other species in the complex are more likely to be found at lower elevations.