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Journal of Experimental Biology 76,27-45 (1978)
Published by Company of Biologists 1978

The Tymbal Mechanism and Song Patterns of the Bladder Cicada, Cystosoma Saundersii

PETER SIMMONS ¹ and DAVID YOUNG ²

¹ Department of Neurobiology, Australian National University, Canberra and Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne; Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ
² Department of Neurobiology, Australian National University, Canberra and Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne; Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3052

1. In Cystosoma saundersii sound is generated by collapse of a pair of tymbals and radiated by a large, resonant, air-filled abdomen. Each tymbal comprises a flexible, biconvex membrane bearing seven long ribs. Tymbal collapse is caused by contraction of a large tymbal muscle, which acts on the tymbal plate. Each tymbal muscle is innervated by one motor neurone.

2. A single collapse of a tymbal produces two distinct pulses of sound, one when rib 1 buckles and one when ribs 2-4 buckle. A quieter sound is produced when the ribs click outwards.

3. A slowly contracting tensor muscle increases the convexity and stiffness of the tymbal, resulting in a reduction in the delay between the first and second sound pulse and in louder pulses.

4. Protest songs contain features of other songs. There is a delay between the spike in one tymbal motor neurone and its partner, and hence between sound produced by one tymbal and the other, of one-quarter of the interval between spikes in one motor neurone alone.

5. Calling songs are produced by males at dusk. Sound pulses have a smooth envelope and are very loud as a result of contraction of the tensor muscles and extension of the abdomen.

6. Courtship songs are triggered in a calling male by the presence of a female. Song is quite quiet, and broken into short chirps.

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