Bioacoustics of Popplepsalta torrensis

Diagnosis ( Figs 4K , 22E , 27E–F , 31B ). Both males and females entirely match the morphological description given for P. subtropica given above. Distinguishing features . Males and females are identical to those of P. subtropica in morphology; however, fundamental differences are evident in the structure of the male calling song (see below). In addition, P. torrensis is distributed parapatrically in relation to P. subtropica . In other words, the latter species occurs west to the White Mountains area, adjacent to the currently recognised eastern limit of the distribution of P. torrensis . The two species also occur in association with a completely different soil types (see below). This may also be useful for identification purposes.

Distribution and Ecology ( Figure 28 ). Restricted to a small area of central Queensland west of the Burra Range, from 65 km east of Hughenden east to Torrens Creek. Populations occur in association with eucalypts (including E. xanthoclada ) growing on flats. Adults are present from at least November to February. Geological and Pedological Associations . Occurs in deep kandosols on a highly weathered Cainozoic sandplain. Calling Song ( Fig. 2J , 34 ). The calling song of P. torrensis is unusual within the P. annulata species group, in that both echemes in the lilting song are of almost equal duration. The lilting component comprises a short echeme (1–4 syllables, 0.011 – 0.036 s) followed by a short silence ( 0.029 – 0.048 s), another short echeme (1–3 syllables, 0.011 – 0.031 s) and a long silence ( 0.061 – 0.140 s) (all statistics, n=8 individuals). Buzzing components are brief and comprise a run of short echemes (1–3 syllables, 0.018 – 0.030 s) punctuated by short silences ( 0.029 – 0.045 s). The call has a phrase repetition rate of 0.112 – 0.230 s, syllable repetition rate of 90–110 Hz and highest amplitude dominant frequency from 9.1–11.0 kHz, with a broad plateau from ~8.0–14.0 kHz. Male–female duets have yet to be heard and recorded from this species.