Science News · Wissenschaft

Ancient Katydid Ancestors' Songs Reconstructed

Scientists have reconstructed the sounds of Jurassic katydid ancestors from fossilized wing structures, offering a glimpse into a prehistoric soundscape.

Analysis of 20 fossils from nine extinct species (200-145 million years ago) allowed researchers to simulate mating calls. Fossils preserve wing structures that vibrated to produce sound.

The team simulated wing acoustics using tooth spacing and wing size to determine the basic sound unit (syllable). An evolutionary tree helped estimate call frequency.

Cadence was determined using a machine learning model trained on living insects, relating song patterns to body size and temperature, then applying Jurassic conditions.

The reconstructed calls were clear and musical, with some species producing ultrasound, predating bats with similar hearing.

These musical tones may have helped insects avoid mammalian predators. Some early mammal fossils show inner ear structures that could have detected these calls.

Distinct frequencies likely aided mate recognition. The research shows fossils can reveal auditory information, not just physical structures.

Further study of other fossils could reconstruct earlier soundscapes, showing we can 'hear' ancient animals.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.