Sex differences in ultrasonic vocalizations and coordinated movement in the California mouse (Peromyscus californicus)

Geyer Am. Zool. 21 (1981) 117] hypothesized that infant rodents increased the number of ultrasonic vocalizations when they moved in and out of the nest in order to elicit extended care from parents. We tested these hypotheses by recording ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) and coordinated movements (locomotion and grooming) in California mouse and by recording USVs from pups before and after their parents retrieved them. In Experiment 1, USVs and coordinated movements were recorded from 2 to 30 days of age, in female and male Peromyscus californicus pups. USVs at 37, 42, 47, and 52kHz were digitized and recorded by computer and an event recorder program which was simultaneously used to record coordinated movement. Vocalizations persisted to 30 days of age. Vocalizations increased for both males and females after they spent more than 180s in coordinated movement and females vocalized more than males. Females also displayed more coordinated movement and earlier development of coordinated movement than males. There was no effect of litter size on USVs. In Experiment 2, the number of USVs emitted by pups and the latency of dams and sires to contact their pups and retrieve them was measured. There was no significant correlation between the number of USVs emitted by pups and the latency for a parent to contact or retrieve a pup. Results from Experiment 1 provided some support for Geyer's (1981) hypothesis and results from Experiment 2 did not support the hypothesis that the main function of USVs in California mouse pups was to elicit parental care.