Soliperla sierra
Stark, 1983
Soliperla sierra is a in the , first described by Stark in 1983. The species is notable for its system, with male call and response signals described for the first time in a 2023 study. Males produce repeated monophasic call signals consisting of one to six signals with inconsistent inter-call intervals. Females respond with sequenced monophasic answers that do not follow all male calls, and occasional three-way exchanges occur when males respond to female answers. The species is known from California.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Soliperla sierra: /ˌsoʊlɪˈpɜːrlə ˈsiːərə/
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Identification
Soliperla sierra can be distinguished from S. quadrispinula and S. thyra by its drumming signal characteristics. The male call and response signals are unique to this , with percussive signal interval patterns that differ from previously described call patterns in related species. For definitive identification, examination of drumming or morphological characters typical of the Soliperla would be required.
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Distribution
California, United States. The epithet 'sierra' and its inclusion among 'three California species' in the source material indicate occurrence within the state.
Behavior
Uses (drumming) for mate finding. Males produce repeated monophasic call signals of one to six signals with inconsistent inter-call intervals. Females produce sequenced monophasic answers that do not follow all repeated male calls. Male monophasic responses occasionally follow female answers in sequenced three-way exchanges. Percussive signal interval patterns were described for the first time in a 2023 study.
Similar Taxa
- Soliperla quadrispinulaAnother California Soliperla with updated drumming call descriptions; previously described with monophasic call pattern now revised to repeated monophasic pattern
- Soliperla thyraCalifornia with similar revised drumming call pattern; distinguished from S. sierra by signal characteristics
More Details
Drumming signal research
The male call and response signals of Soliperla sierra were described for the first time in a 2023 study (Zoosymposia 24: 1-5), which also provided updated call descriptions for S. quadrispinula and S. thyra. The study determined that previous signal descriptions differed from actual recordings, warranting revision of the earlier monophasic call signal pattern descriptions to repeated monophasic patterns for S. quadrispinula and S. thyra.
Taxonomic context
The Soliperla was established by Ricker in 1952 and belongs to the , within the superfamily Pteronarcyoidea. in this genus are part of the diverse stonefly fauna of western North America.