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Jurassic Insects Sang Ultrasonic Songs 165 Million Years Ago
3 Sep
Summary
- Scientists reconstructed calls of nine prehistoric insect species.
- Insect sounds were recreated using fossilized wings and modern bioacoustics.
- Ancient insects may have used ultrasonic calls to avoid predators.
An international team of scientists has reconstructed the calls of nine species of prehistoric insects, providing the most accurate approximation of a Jurassic soundscape to date. These ancient insects, relatives of modern crickets and katydids, produced sound by rubbing their wings together. Researchers analyzed fossilized wings found in Inner Mongolia, China, alongside the bioacoustics of living relatives.
Using computer modeling and machine learning, scientists replicated the chirps and clicks of these insects from 165 million years ago. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed that some species, like Sigmaboilus peregrinus, produced ultrasonic calls beyond human hearing.
This finding challenges the long-held belief that bats were the primary drivers of ultrasonic communication. The researchers suggest that insects evolved these calls to establish acoustic niches and avoid detection by early mammals and other predators during the Jurassic period.
This groundbreaking work offers a scientifically-based sonic reality of ancient forests, moving beyond fictional depictions. The research also contributed to creating an accurate soundscape for the Netflix documentary series "The Dinosaurs."
