Variation in the vocal behavior of nonhuman vertebrates includes graded transitions and more dramatic changes.Wapiti males produce a reproductive bugle that has a fundamental frequency that surpasses 2,000 Hz with evi...Variation in the vocal behavior of nonhuman vertebrates includes graded transitions and more dramatic changes.Wapiti males produce a reproductive bugle that has a fundamental frequency that surpasses 2,000 Hz with evidence of biphonation and other nonlinear phenomena.Here,we analyze the acoustic structure of captive wapiti vocalizations to compare the male bugle with 3 categories of distress vocalizations:neonate distress(capture)calls,calf isolation calls,and adult female isolation calls.These 4 high-arousal call categories serve a common general function in recruiting conspecifics but occur in different behavioral contexts(capture,isolation,reproduction).Our goal was to distinguish characteristics that vary in graded steps that may correspond to an animal’s age or size from characteristics that are unique to the bugle.Characteristics of the high and loud fundamental(G0)varied in an age/size-graded manner with a decrease in minimum G0,an increase in the maximum and range of G0,with no evidence of sex differences.The nonlinear phenomena of deterministic chaos,biphonation,and frequency jumps were present in all 4 call categories and became more common from the distress vocalizations of neonates to calves to adult females to the male bugle.Two temporal characteristics sharply distinguished the bugle from the 3 categories of distress vocalizations:these included a prolonged call duration and a maximum G0 that occurred much later in the call for the bugle than for distress vocalizations.Our results suggest that distress vocalizations of different age groups and the reproductive bugle of wapiti share a high G0,with age/size-graded changes in G0 and nonlinear phenomena,but differ sharply in temporal characteristics.展开更多
Ultrasonic communication in vertebrates is attracting increasing research interest.To determine if ultrasonic vocalization is common in birds,we recorded their vocalizations with ultrasound detectors in the Dongzhai N...Ultrasonic communication in vertebrates is attracting increasing research interest.To determine if ultrasonic vocalization is common in birds,we recorded their vocalizations with ultrasound detectors in the Dongzhai National Nature Reserve of Henan Province,China.We found varying degrees of high frequency components in the vocalizations of 14 species and in several of these species,the frequency of harmonics was up to the range of ultrasound.We suggest that more studies are required to determine whether the high frequency components in avian vocalizations have functions and what these functions are.In addition,the ability of birds to hear sounds in the high frequency range also requires re-examination.展开更多
The ability to identify emotional arousal in heterospecific vocalizations may facilitate behaviors that increase survival opportunities. Crucially, this ability may orient inter-species interactions, par- ticularly be...The ability to identify emotional arousal in heterospecific vocalizations may facilitate behaviors that increase survival opportunities. Crucially, this ability may orient inter-species interactions, par- ticularly between humans and other species. Research shows that humans identify emotional arousal in vocalizations across multiple species, such as cats, dogs, and piglets. However, no previ- ous study has addressed humans＂ ability to identify emotional arousal in silver foxes. Here, we adopted low- and high-arousal calls emitted by three strains of silver fox--Tame, Aggressive, and Unselected--in response to human approach. Tame and Aggressive foxes are genetically selected for friendly and attacking behaviors toward humans, respectively. Unselected foxes show aggres- sive and fearful behaviors toward humans. These three strains show similar levels of emotional arousal, but different levels of emotional valence in relation to humans. This emotional information is reflected in the acoustic features of the calls. Our data suggest that humans can identify high- arousal calls of Aggressive and Unselected foxes, but not of Tame foxes. Further analyses revealed that, although within each strain different acoustic parameters affect human accuracy in identifying high-arousal calls, spectral center of gravity, harmonic-to-noise ratio, and F0 best predict humans＇ ability to discriminate high-arousal calls across all strains. Furthermore, we identified in spectral center of gravity and F0 the best predictors for humans＇ absolute ratings of arousal in each call. Implications for research on the adaptive value of inter-specific eavesdropping are discussed.展开更多
Mice use ultrasonic vocalizations(USVs)to communicate each other and to convey their emotional state.USVs have been greatly characterized in specific life phases and contexts,such as mother isolation-induced USVs for ...Mice use ultrasonic vocalizations(USVs)to communicate each other and to convey their emotional state.USVs have been greatly characterized in specific life phases and contexts,such as mother isolation-induced USVs for pups or female-induced USVs for male mice during courtship.USVs can be acquired by means of specific tools and later analyzed on the base of both quantitative and qualitative parameters.Indeed,different ultrasonic call categories exist and have already been defined.The understanding of different calls meaning is still missing,and it will represent an essential step forward in the field of USVs.They have long been studied in the ethological context,but recently they emerged as a precious instrument to study pathologies characterized by deficits in communication,in particular neurodevelopmental disorders(NDDs),such as autism spectrum disorders.This review covers the topics of USVs characteristics in mice,contexts for USVs emission and factors that modulate their expression.A particular focus will be devoted to mouse USVs in the context of NDDs.Indeed,several NDDs murine models exist and an intense study of USVs is currently in progress,with the aim of both performing an early diagnosis and to find a pharmacological/behavioral intervention to improve patients’quality of life.展开更多
Juveniles of interspecific avian brood parasites need to locate and recognize conspecifics to continue their life cycle after being reared by individuals of another species.However,little is known about the recognitio...Juveniles of interspecific avian brood parasites need to locate and recognize conspecifics to continue their life cycle after being reared by individuals of another species.However,little is known about the recognition mechanisms and cues involved in this critical stage of their lives.It has been proposed that adult parasites could show some kind of parental behavior by actively searching and interacting with conspecific young,which in turn could serve the juveniles to learn and/or reinforce the learning of conspecific characteristics.Since acoustic communication is one of the main channels used by birds,if such form of parental behavior by adult avian brood parasites does exist,adult cowbirds should recognize and respond positively to vocalizations of conspecific juveniles.We experimentally tested whether adult shiny Molothrus bonariensis and screaming M.rufoaxillaris cowbirds respond positively towards acoustic signals of conspecific juveniles using two playback experiments,one conducted in semi-captivity and the other in the field.In both cases,we presented 3 types of playbacks to adults of both cowbird species:vocalizations of shiny cowbird juveniles,vocalizations of screaming cowbird juveniles,and white noise as a control.In the experiment in semi-captivity,no significant differences were found between treatments.In the field experiment,no conspecifics approached the playback area,but hosts of the species whose playback was played were attracted to the loudspeaker.In conclusion,our results do not support the predictions we tested from the parental behavior hypothesis and indicate that adult shiny and screaming cowbirds do not respond positively to acoustic signals of conspecific juveniles,at least not to the type of signals used in our experiments.展开更多
Background:The Savanna Nightjar(Caprimulgus affinis)is a widespread,polytypic species which was previously treated as two or three species.It is currently treated as a single species based on superficial similarity of...Background:The Savanna Nightjar(Caprimulgus affinis)is a widespread,polytypic species which was previously treated as two or three species.It is currently treated as a single species based on superficial similarity of their songs but no detailed comparisons of the songs in this complex have been made.Methods:A total of 15 acoustic variables were measured for the songs of 86 individuals representing 8 of the 10 subspecies in the complex.Results:Three major groups can be distinguished based on univariate and multivariate analyses:a northern group consisting of the subspecies C.a.monticolus,C.a.amoyensis and C.a.stictomus;a southern group consisting of C.a.affinis,C.a.kasuidori,C.a.timorensis and C.a.propinquus;and a third group in the Philippines consisting of C.a.griseatus.Conclusions:It is here argued that these groups are best treated as species,and that Franklin's Nightjar(C.monticolus)and Kayumanggi Nightjar(C.griseatus)are reinstated as separate species.展开更多
基金The University of Winnipeg and The University of Winnipeg Foundation contributed funding to this research.
文摘Variation in the vocal behavior of nonhuman vertebrates includes graded transitions and more dramatic changes.Wapiti males produce a reproductive bugle that has a fundamental frequency that surpasses 2,000 Hz with evidence of biphonation and other nonlinear phenomena.Here,we analyze the acoustic structure of captive wapiti vocalizations to compare the male bugle with 3 categories of distress vocalizations:neonate distress(capture)calls,calf isolation calls,and adult female isolation calls.These 4 high-arousal call categories serve a common general function in recruiting conspecifics but occur in different behavioral contexts(capture,isolation,reproduction).Our goal was to distinguish characteristics that vary in graded steps that may correspond to an animal’s age or size from characteristics that are unique to the bugle.Characteristics of the high and loud fundamental(G0)varied in an age/size-graded manner with a decrease in minimum G0,an increase in the maximum and range of G0,with no evidence of sex differences.The nonlinear phenomena of deterministic chaos,biphonation,and frequency jumps were present in all 4 call categories and became more common from the distress vocalizations of neonates to calves to adult females to the male bugle.Two temporal characteristics sharply distinguished the bugle from the 3 categories of distress vocalizations:these included a prolonged call duration and a maximum G0 that occurred much later in the call for the bugle than for distress vocalizations.Our results suggest that distress vocalizations of different age groups and the reproductive bugle of wapiti share a high G0,with age/size-graded changes in G0 and nonlinear phenomena,but differ sharply in temporal characteristics.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2007CB411606)
文摘Ultrasonic communication in vertebrates is attracting increasing research interest.To determine if ultrasonic vocalization is common in birds,we recorded their vocalizations with ultrasound detectors in the Dongzhai National Nature Reserve of Henan Province,China.We found varying degrees of high frequency components in the vocalizations of 14 species and in several of these species,the frequency of harmonics was up to the range of ultrasound.We suggest that more studies are required to determine whether the high frequency components in avian vocalizations have functions and what these functions are.In addition,the ability of birds to hear sounds in the high frequency range also requires re-examination.
文摘The ability to identify emotional arousal in heterospecific vocalizations may facilitate behaviors that increase survival opportunities. Crucially, this ability may orient inter-species interactions, par- ticularly between humans and other species. Research shows that humans identify emotional arousal in vocalizations across multiple species, such as cats, dogs, and piglets. However, no previ- ous study has addressed humans＂ ability to identify emotional arousal in silver foxes. Here, we adopted low- and high-arousal calls emitted by three strains of silver fox--Tame, Aggressive, and Unselected--in response to human approach. Tame and Aggressive foxes are genetically selected for friendly and attacking behaviors toward humans, respectively. Unselected foxes show aggres- sive and fearful behaviors toward humans. These three strains show similar levels of emotional arousal, but different levels of emotional valence in relation to humans. This emotional information is reflected in the acoustic features of the calls. Our data suggest that humans can identify high- arousal calls of Aggressive and Unselected foxes, but not of Tame foxes. Further analyses revealed that, although within each strain different acoustic parameters affect human accuracy in identifying high-arousal calls, spectral center of gravity, harmonic-to-noise ratio, and F0 best predict humans＇ ability to discriminate high-arousal calls across all strains. Furthermore, we identified in spectral center of gravity and F0 the best predictors for humans＇ absolute ratings of arousal in each call. Implications for research on the adaptive value of inter-specific eavesdropping are discussed.
基金supported by Research Grant from the University of Brescia(to Memo M).
文摘Mice use ultrasonic vocalizations(USVs)to communicate each other and to convey their emotional state.USVs have been greatly characterized in specific life phases and contexts,such as mother isolation-induced USVs for pups or female-induced USVs for male mice during courtship.USVs can be acquired by means of specific tools and later analyzed on the base of both quantitative and qualitative parameters.Indeed,different ultrasonic call categories exist and have already been defined.The understanding of different calls meaning is still missing,and it will represent an essential step forward in the field of USVs.They have long been studied in the ethological context,but recently they emerged as a precious instrument to study pathologies characterized by deficits in communication,in particular neurodevelopmental disorders(NDDs),such as autism spectrum disorders.This review covers the topics of USVs characteristics in mice,contexts for USVs emission and factors that modulate their expression.A particular focus will be devoted to mouse USVs in the context of NDDs.Indeed,several NDDs murine models exist and an intense study of USVs is currently in progress,with the aim of both performing an early diagnosis and to find a pharmacological/behavioral intervention to improve patients’quality of life.
基金supported by grants PICT 2015-1628 from Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica and UBACYT 20020170100521BA from Universidad de Buenos Aires to J.C.R.
文摘Juveniles of interspecific avian brood parasites need to locate and recognize conspecifics to continue their life cycle after being reared by individuals of another species.However,little is known about the recognition mechanisms and cues involved in this critical stage of their lives.It has been proposed that adult parasites could show some kind of parental behavior by actively searching and interacting with conspecific young,which in turn could serve the juveniles to learn and/or reinforce the learning of conspecific characteristics.Since acoustic communication is one of the main channels used by birds,if such form of parental behavior by adult avian brood parasites does exist,adult cowbirds should recognize and respond positively to vocalizations of conspecific juveniles.We experimentally tested whether adult shiny Molothrus bonariensis and screaming M.rufoaxillaris cowbirds respond positively towards acoustic signals of conspecific juveniles using two playback experiments,one conducted in semi-captivity and the other in the field.In both cases,we presented 3 types of playbacks to adults of both cowbird species:vocalizations of shiny cowbird juveniles,vocalizations of screaming cowbird juveniles,and white noise as a control.In the experiment in semi-captivity,no significant differences were found between treatments.In the field experiment,no conspecifics approached the playback area,but hosts of the species whose playback was played were attracted to the loudspeaker.In conclusion,our results do not support the predictions we tested from the parental behavior hypothesis and indicate that adult shiny and screaming cowbirds do not respond positively to acoustic signals of conspecific juveniles,at least not to the type of signals used in our experiments.
文摘Background:The Savanna Nightjar(Caprimulgus affinis)is a widespread,polytypic species which was previously treated as two or three species.It is currently treated as a single species based on superficial similarity of their songs but no detailed comparisons of the songs in this complex have been made.Methods:A total of 15 acoustic variables were measured for the songs of 86 individuals representing 8 of the 10 subspecies in the complex.Results:Three major groups can be distinguished based on univariate and multivariate analyses:a northern group consisting of the subspecies C.a.monticolus,C.a.amoyensis and C.a.stictomus;a southern group consisting of C.a.affinis,C.a.kasuidori,C.a.timorensis and C.a.propinquus;and a third group in the Philippines consisting of C.a.griseatus.Conclusions:It is here argued that these groups are best treated as species,and that Franklin's Nightjar(C.monticolus)and Kayumanggi Nightjar(C.griseatus)are reinstated as separate species.
