Bioacoustics of Ewartia carina

Distribution and habitat . Ewartia carina n. sp. occurs at Iron Range and McIlwraith Range in Cape York Peninsula, far northern Queensland ( Fig. 25 ). Populations have been found in dry rainforest/ vine thicket communities. It is not known if this species is associated with wattles ( Acacia spp.) like others in the E. oldfieldi species complex. However, it is noted that Acacia polystachya forms a conspicuous component of the dry rainforest community mosaics, which occur on granite and on metamorphics in the McIlwraith Range and Iron Range respectively. It is expected, though not demonstrated, that E. carina n. sp. , within its distribution, may be associated with this wattle species. All observations of this cicada have been made during January. The geographical distribution of E. carina n. sp. overlaps only with one other species in the genus: E. brevis . These two species are known to occur in sympatry at the McIlwraith Range. Calling song . Based on a series of recordings made by Kathy Hill and David Marshall ( n =7), the calling song of E. carina n. sp. exhibits the typical complex and simple song modes. The complex calling song mode ( Fig. 31 ) contains repeated subphrases (5.8– 10.4 s duration). Each subphrase is composed of a series of alternating macrosyllables (each containing 2–4 syllables; 0.019– 0.045 s duration) and syllables (0.009– 0.015 s duration), each separated by shorts gaps (0.046– 0.079 s duration). This is followed by a syllable sequence (2.760– 6.163 s duration) sometimes interspersed with macrosyllables (each containing 2–5 syllables; 0.022– 0.049 s duration), with all (macro)syllables separated by relatively uniform gaps (0.055– 0.082 s duration). At the conclusion of the syllable sequence, a longer macrosyllable is typically produced (containing 4–8 syllables, 0.039– 0.080 s duration), and this is sometimes also followed by single syllable or a brief syllable sequence (0.050– 0.099 s duration); a short gap then occurs (0.021– 0.036 s ), followed by a climactic echeme (0.385– 0.606 s duration). The subphrase then concludes with a brief syllable sequence (0.062– 0.170 s duration), which may or may not be followed by the accentuation prior to commencement of the next subphrase. The accentuation is presented as a gap (0.095– 0.172 s duration) followed by a macrosyllable (containing 3–4 syllables; 0.028– 0.062 s duration), which, in turn, is followed by another gap (0.111– 0.154 s duration). The accentuation appears to be produced at the end of most subphrases. This complex calling song mode is typically produced at intervals throughout the day. The simple calling song mode of this species ( Fig. 32 ) contains monotonously repeated short echemes or macrosyllables (0.080– 0.172 s duration), each separated by a brief gap (0.036– 0.095 s duration). The simple calling song mode predominates at dusk, but is also produced during the day. There is no apparent change in frequency spectra between song modes in the calling song. It has a highest amplitude frequency plateau between 11.3 and 17.2 kHz, with a dominant frequency of approximately 14.2 kHz ( n =2; e.g. Fig. 29 D).

Types . Holotype : ♂ [typed] ‘ Australia :QLD AU.QL.MCW’ / ‘ McIlwraith Rg, NE of Coen’ / ‘ 13°43.247’S 143°19.458’E’ / ‘ 508m 7.Jan.2007 ’ / ‘ K. Hill , D. Marshall , M. Moulds’ / ‘ QM Reg. No. T 207357’ ( QM ) ; Paratypes : 1♀ Leo Ck track, approx. 300 m , McIlwraith Rg, N. Qld, 10.i.1990 , M.S. & B.J. Moulds ( QM ) ; 12♂ 2♀ same data as holotype ; 1♂ Australia , Queensland , AU.QL. MID .04, MIlwraith Rg, NE of Coen , 13°42.677’S , 143°18.696’E , 7.i.2007 , K. Hill , D. Marshall , M. Moulds ; 1♀ same data as previous, AU.QL. MID .05 ; 4♂ 4♀ Leo Ck track, approx. 300 m , McIlwraith Rg, N. Qld, 10–11.i.1990 , M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 14♂ 2♀ McIlwraith Ra., Leo Creek track, 300 m , NE of Coen, N. Qld, 7.i.1988 , M.S. & B.J. Moulds ( MSM ) ; 1♂ 1♀ same data as previous ; 1♂ same data as holotype ( LWP ) ; 1♂ McIlwraith Ra., Leo Creek track, 300 m , NE of Coen, N. Qld, 7.i.1988 , M.S. & B.J. Moulds ; 1♂ Leo Ck track, approx. 300 m , McIlwraith Rg, N. Qld, 10.i.1990 , M.S. & B.J. Moulds ( AE ). Additional song recording localities: Australia , Queensland , 07.AU.QL. HUT , Cook’s Hut , Iron Range , ~ 4.3km N of main road JCT , 12.7114°S 143.291°E , 9.i.2007 , Hill & Marshall ; Australia , Queensland , 07.AU.QL.MWR, ~ 31km E of Peninsula Development Rd on road into McIlwraith Range , 13.7144°S , 143.319°E , 8.i.2007 , Hill & Marshall ( SL ).