Anti‐Predation and Size‐Dependent Gas Exchange Functions of Amazonian Architect Cicada Towers
ABSTRACT Nymphs of several cicada species build clay towers before adult metamorphosis. However, tower function is poorly understood. Here, we show experimentally that towers of the Amazonian cicada Guyalna chlorogena reduce predation risk and display a size‐dependent growth response to gas exchange obstruction. These findings support them as adaptive extended phenotypes.
Authors
- Marina Nahas Mega (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4060-5034)
- Izadora Nardi Gonzalez
- Rodrigo Ferreira [UNESP] Fadini
- Pedro A. C. L. Pequeno
- Maria Luiza Busato
- Sara S. Feitosa
Institutions
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará (BR)
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) (BR)
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Ceará (BR)
- Instituto Federal do Rio de Janeiro (BR)
- Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Biotropica
- Published
- 2026-02-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70182
- Primary Topic
- Calcium Carbonate Crystallization and Inhibition
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00