Acoustic Isolation in the Speciation of Mole Crickets

The calling song of crickets is species specific (Alexander 1967) and differences between the songs of closely related species are “possibly the best indication that speciation has been completed” (Bigelow 1964). Two chromosomal forms of Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa L., the European mole cricket, have been reported from Israel Kushnir 1952). The 23-chromosome form is apparently limited to the highly saline (6.6% Cl−) soils bordering the Dead Sea, while the 19-chromosome form has a wide ecogeographical distribution in Israel. Sexually mature adults of the 2 forms could meet in areas such as the Feshcha Springs on the northwestern shore, or Neot Hakikar at the southern tip of the Dead Sea.