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Ancient Insect Songs Resonate in Jurassic Rainforest
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In Short: Scientists have reconstructed the sounds of katydid ancestors from the Jurassic Period, painting a vivid picture of the ancient rainforest's symphony.
A symphony of insect songs echoed through the Jurassic rainforest, and now, scientists have uncovered the traces of this ancient soundscape, according to a new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
By analyzing fossilized katydid ancestors, researchers have been able to reproduce the notes these insects played by strumming their wings, offering a glimpse into the auditory environment of the time.
The work, based on an examination of a shrewlike critter’s preserved inner ears, suggests that their hearing range could capture the calls of some katydid forerunners, indicating a rich auditory landscape in the Jurassic Period.
This landscape, described as a hot, humid forest with giant ferns and ancient conifers, hosted a stunning array of insects, including ensiferans, the group that includes katydids, crickets, and grigs, according to the study.
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- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.
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- Science Newslink