迷卡斗蟋鸣声的声学特征及其生物学意义

首次利用计算机技术对迷卡斗蟋Velarifictorusmicado (Saussure)的鸣声特征及其生物学意义进行了研究。结果表明 :迷卡斗蟋在不同性比条件下 ,鸣声的声学特征不同。雄性独处时发出召唤声 ;2只以上的雄性在一起时会发出警戒声、挑战声或胜利声 ;1雄 1雌在一起时会发出欢迎声、求爱声 ,如果雌性不理会雄性的求爱时则会发出一种催促声。利用计算机 ,除了对人们用耳辨别的 3种鸣声 (召唤声、求偶声和争斗声 )进行客观记录外 ,还可以对以前所称的“求偶声”和“争斗声”进行更细致地分析和比较。根据其生物学意义 ,作者首次将其鸣声分为 7种 ,并对这 7种鸣声在功率谱和时域两方面进行了比较 ,发现迷卡斗蟋在不同行为下有不同的鸣声特征 ,传递不同的信息。     

长颚斗蟋的鸣声结构与行为分析

通过计算机外接话筒对长颚斗蟋（Velarifictorus asperses)在不同条件下的鸣声进行录音,利用软作Cool edit2000对其结构进行了较系统的分析。结果表明：长颚斗蟋的鸣叫声有7种类型,即召唤声,警戒声,挑衅声,胜利声,欢迎声,求爱声和催促声;这7种鸣声在声学特征上有明显的区别,并与行为有关。     

双斑蟋鸣声特征与行为关系的初步研究

利用计算机声分析技术对双斑蟋（Gryllus bimaculatus 1773)的召唤声、不同性比的求偶声和争斗声的结构、频谱与时域特征进行比较,以探讨鸣声特征与行为的关系。结果表明：①3种鸣声的脉冲时间长度（PL）、脉冲时间间隔（IPI）、每个脉冲群（PG）的脉冲数（PN）、声脉冲组合形态和密度等基本相同。这些特征参数较为稳定,为种间鉴别因子,其中以IPI为最。②节奏（Rh)、声长（SL）、间歇（IT）特征与蟋蟀的社会活动和个体活动有密切联系。从雄性单独生活时的召唤声到有雌性存在时的求偶声,每个节奏中的音节数逐渐增加,从单音节、双音节到多音节;SL、IT呈下降趋势。不同性比条件下,雄性数量明显影响鸣声特征。雄性数目增加,Rh、SL呈上升趋势;IT呈下降趋势。不同比例的雌性对雄性鸣声的影响无明显规律。③鸣声的频谱与时域呈一定对应关系。召唤声、求偶声和争斗声的脉冲能量主要集中在1个能量区上,表现出种的同一性。     

历山自然保护区四种蟋蟀鸣声结构的比较研究(直翅目:蟋蟀总科)

应用计算机技术,分析了山西历山自然保护区的白须双针蟋,短翅灶蟋,银川油葫芦,迷卡斗蟋4种蟋蟀雄性的鸣声结构,白须双针蟋雄性鸣声的每个脉冲组持续时间和每个脉冲组的脉冲数不同,主能峰频率为6．5kHz,短翅灶蟋雄性鸣声的时域波形较规则,每个脉冲组由3个脉冲构成,每个脉冲组的持续时间,脉冲组间隔基本相同,主能峰频率6．6kHz,银川油葫芦雄性的鸣声由两类脉冲组构成,主能峰频率为3．94kHz,迷卡斗蟋雄性鸣声的时域波形较规则,每个脉冲组由6－7个脉冲构成,主能峰频率为3．86kHz。     

蟋蟀常见鸣声类型的比较研究（直翅目：蟋蟀总科）

对蟋蟀的3类常见鸣声（召唤声、求偶声、争斗声）进行了分析比较,同种3类鸣声在频域特征和时域特征上存在差异,但也有一些相似的特征;3类鸣声中,召唤声在分类研究上更有应用价值。     

迷卡斗蟋和短翅鸣螽的行为谱及交配行为

研究了迷卡斗蟋和短翅鸣螽的行为模式及迷卡斗蟋鸣叫的时间分布。结果表明迷卡斗蟋雄虫单独存在时 ,在一昼夜内其鸣叫的持续时间为 668.38± 1 0 9.86分钟 ( 5 ) ,引入雌虫后鸣叫累计时间减少为 1 7.3± 6.7分钟 ( 5 ) ,并产生音调低沉的求偶声。在昼夜鸣叫活动型式中 ,雄虫单独存在时的鸣叫活动集中于夜间 ;引入雌虫后 ,占区鸣叫、求偶鸣唱和交配行为多集中于白天。根据上述结果提出了机会 -风险平衡假说来解释此现象 ,即白天交配有被捕食的危险 ,雄蟋短期内重复交配以保证精液进入雌蟋体内 ,从而保证了交配的成功 ,补偿了雄蟋所冒风险。短翅鸣螽雄性产生较大的精包 ,当雌体取食精包时 ,精液进入雌体内以保证交配成功。     

基于mt DNA 16S rRNA、COⅠ及Cyt b部分基因序列的长颚斗蟋与迷卡斗蟋遗传差异分析

长颚斗蟋和迷卡斗蟋的遗传差异对于蟋蟀遗传多样性,分类鉴定等有重要意义。通过PCR技术扩增测定长颚斗蟋和迷卡斗蟋的mt DNA 16S r RNA、COⅠ与Cyt b部分基因序列。数据分析表明:长颚斗蟋和迷卡斗蟋16S r RNA,COⅠ和Cyt b的种间序列相似度分别约为91.5%、87.0%和85.5%。长颚斗蟋种内16S r RNA、COⅠ和Cyt b基因序列相似度分别为99.8%、98.9%和98.8%;迷卡斗蟋种内16S r RNA、COⅠ和Cyt b基因序列相似度分别为98.4%、98.4%、97.2%。研究结果表明:长颚斗蟋与迷卡斗蟋的种间遗传差异明显大于种内遗传差异;16S r RNA、COⅠ、Cyt b基因序列适合作为长颚斗蟋和迷卡斗蟋遗传差异研究及分类鉴定的分子标记;COⅠ和Cyt b基因较16S r RNA基因有更快的进化速度,其种间遗传差异也更为明显。     

基于微卫星分子标记的浙江省不同滞育型迷卡斗蟋的遗传分化分析

【目的】迷卡斗蟋Velarifictorus micado存在两种显著不同的滞育型,即卵滞育和若虫滞育,而在长江流域附近两种滞育型种群存在广泛同域分布。本研究旨在探究浙江省同域分布不同滞育型迷卡斗蟋种群之间的遗传分化的情况。【方法】以浙江省百山祖、大盘山和天童山3个地区的不同滞育型的迷卡斗蟋6个种群共134个个体为研究材料,筛选具较高多态性的微卫星位点,并使用筛选获得的微卫星位点对这6个种群共134个个体进行种群遗传学分析。【结果】筛选出11对具较高多态性的微卫星位点;全部种群的平均等位基因数为13.803,平均观测杂合度为0.743,其中百山祖卵滞育种群观测杂合度最低,与其他种群间遗传分化最大。百山祖卵滞育种群与其他种群之间的基因交流程度很低,其余种群间均显示出高水平的基因流。【结论】浙江迷卡斗蟋不同地理种群及不同滞育型特征种群间遗传分化程度均较低,存在较频繁的基因交流,尚未表现出物种分化的趋势。     

斑背大尾莺繁殖期鸣声行为分析

2009年5-7月,在辽宁双台河口保护区录制了20只繁殖期斑背大尾莺雄性个体的鸣声.根据行为特征,该鸟鸣声定义为3种鸣声类型:求偶炫耀鸣唱、报警声和联络声.利用Wavesurfer软件对20只斑背大尾莺雄性个体543个鸣声的句子持续时间、句子音节个数、音节持续时间、音节间隔时间等4个参数进行分析测量,发现求偶炫耀鸣唱由节奏逐渐加快的前部句子和音节组成复杂的主体部两个句子组成; 报警声和联络声的句子均由单音节组成.音节类型总数为38种,其中包括前部句子的音节类型6种.采用单因素方差分析(one-way ANOVA)对求偶炫耀鸣唱的4个参数进行差异性检验发现,不同个体的各个参数均呈极显著差异(P<0.01).     

丹顶鹤性活动的声行为研究

丹顶鹤繁殖期的性活动可分为雄鹤求偶、雌鹤对雄性求偶的应答、两性交配和交配完结4个阶段,其相应的鸣声模式分别为雄性的求偶鸣声、雌性对雄性求偶的应答声和两性的对鸣声、两性对唱的交配声和两性的高声合唱。4个阶段鸣声都是以基本音的主频率(PF)为主音的单音调声,前3个阶段都带数个近似fn=nf0(f0=FP)关系的低幅值谐频成分。第4个阶段带数个近似fn=nf0(f0=FP)关系的高幅值谐频成分;品质因数(Q3dB)多半为4～6,声脉冲重复频率(RFP)一般为150～180Hz,而第2阶段声的RFP一般为180～260Hz。雄性鸣声的每个单次叫声中含有的音节数较少,一般不超过4个;而雌性鸣声比较复杂。每个单次叫声中含有的音节数较多,一般都在7～8个以上;但雌雄鸣声的每个音节都是由3个声脉冲组成。雄鹤鸣唱声频率变化范围较小,而雌鹤鸣唱声频率变化形式是由低到高达到高峰后又开始下降。4个阶段的鸣声都具有较好共鸣。只有第2阶段发声运动较快。而且发现雄鹤鸣唱单次鸣叫声的音节数“增多”。各阶段鸣声特性均存在差异,不同配偶间均存在显著差异,研究结果表明丹顶鹤雌雄都具有不同的鸣声,且其性活动过程中不同的鸣声行为具有较高的个体识别信号潜能。另外,求偶鸣叫声和求偶应答与对鸣声在性活动鸣声中起着决定性的作用。     

Recurring patterns in the songs of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Humpback whales, unlike most mammalian species, learn new songs as adults. Populations of singers progressively and collectively change the sounds and patterns within their songs throughout their lives and across generations. In this study, humpback whale songs recorded in Hawaii from 1985 to 1995 were analyzed using self-organizing maps (SOMs) to classify the sounds within songs, and to identify sound patterns that were present across multiple years. These analyses supported the hypothesis that recurring, persistent patterns exist within whale songs, and that these patterns are defined at least in part by acoustic relationships between adjacent sounds within songs. Sound classification based on acoustic differences between adjacent sounds yielded patterns within songs that were more consistent from year to year than classifications based on the properties of single sounds. Maintenance of fixed ratios of acoustic modulation across sounds, despite large variations in individual sounds, suggests intrinsic constraints on how sounds change within songs. Such acoustically invariant cues may enable whales to recognize and assess variations in songs despite propagation-related distortion of individual sounds and yearly changes in songs.     

A test of the Acoustic Adaptation Hypothesis in three types of tropical forest: degradation of male and female Rufous-and-white Wren songs

Many animals produce complex vocalizations that show pronounced variation between populations. The Acoustic Adaptation Hypothesis helps to explain this variation, suggesting that acoustic signals are optimized for transmission through different environments. Little is known about the transmission properties of female vocalizations because most studies of the Acoustic Adaptation Hypothesis have focused on male vocalizations of organisms living at temperate latitudes. We explored the relationship between environmental variation and the transmission properties of songs of Rufous-and-white Wrens, resident Neotropical songbirds where both sexes sing. Using playback, we broadcast and re-recorded elements of male and female songs from three populations of wrens living in three different forest habitats in Costa Rica. We measured four variables of the re-recorded sounds: signal-to-noise ratio, excess attenuation, tail-to-signal ratio and blur ratio. Our results show a significant difference between transmission characteristics of both male and female song elements across the three habitats, indicating that sounds transmit differently through different types of tropical forest. The population from which the broadcast sounds were recorded (source population) had little effect on sound transmission, however, suggesting that acoustic differences between these populations may not arise through acoustic adaptation to these habitats. Male and female elements showed similar transmission properties overall, although signal-to-noise ratio of male elements was influenced by source population, whereas blur ratio and excess attenuation of female elements were influenced by source population. Our study highlights the differences in transmission characteristics of animal sounds through different habitats, and reveals some sex differences in transmission properties.     

Context-dependent vocal mimicry in a passerine bird

How do birds select the sounds they mimic, and in what contexts do they use vocal mimicry? Some birds show a preference for mimicking other species' alarm notes, especially in situations when they appear to be alarmed. Yet no study has demonstrated that birds change the call types they mimic with changing contexts. We found that greater racket-tailed drongos (Dicrurus paradiseus) in the rainforest of Sri Lanka mimic the calls of predators and the alarm-associated calls of other species more often than would be expected from the frequency of these sounds in the acoustic environment. Drongos include this alarm-associated mimicry in their own alarm vocalizations, while incorporating other species' songs and contact calls in their own songs. Drongos show an additional level of context specificity by mimicking other species' ground predator-specific call types when mobbing. We suggest that drongos learn other species' calls and their contexts while interacting with these species in mixed flocks. The drongos' behaviour demonstrates that alarm-associated calls can have learned components, and that birds can learn the appropriate usage of calls that encode different types of information.     

Acoustic signals in katydids (Orthoptera,Tettigonidae). Communication 2

Three basic trends in the development of acoustic communication in Tettigonioidea are distinguished. The first one is observed in predatory tettigoniids and conocephalids. It is associated with the improvement of the territorial behavior and results in the appearance of territorial, aggressive and protest sounds (only males stridulate) in the acoustic repertoire. The second trend is caused by the development of defensive mechanisms. It is observed in phytophagous katydids belonging to the family Bradyporidae dwelling in deserts and other exposed habitats. As a rule, their acoustic repertoire includes long-lasting calling songs and disturbance (protest) sounds; rather often, these sounds are produced both by males and females. The unmasking effect of signals is compensated for by specific defense adaptations. The third evolutionary tendency is most completely expressed in phytophagous Phaneropteridae and phytophilous Bradyporidae (Ephippigerinae) as a result of the predator press and the improvement of sexual behavior. It leads to appearance of a “slow” system of communication, when the unmasking effect of songs is minimized by the decrease in the acoustic activity of males. Females produce response signals, while males produce complex calling, courtship, and confirming sounds. The temporal pattern of a signal is one of the most reliable criteria for the discrimination of species and subspecies. It is difficult to use physical parameters of sounds as a criterion for the differentiation of taxa at the superspecies rank, since acoustical signalling is obviously a subject of evolution of the acoustic community rather than of the taxon. Parallelisms and convergences are observed in the evolution of acoustic communication systems, but complex analysis allows revealing the initial type of the acoustic system and defining the reasons for adaptive reorganizations.     

The interplay of within-species perceptual predispositions and experience during song ontogeny in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)

Vocal acquisition in songbirds and humans shows many similarities, one of which is that both involve a combination of experience and perceptual predispositions. Among languages some speech sounds are shared, while others are not. This could reflect a predisposition in young infants for learning some speech sounds over others, which combines with exposure-based learning. Similarly, in songbirds, some sounds are common across populations, while others are more specific to populations or individuals. We examine whether this is also due to perceptual preferences for certain within-species element types in naive juvenile male birds, and how such preferences interact with exposure to guide subsequent song learning. We show that young zebra finches lacking previous song exposure perceptually prefer songs with more common zebra finch song element types over songs with less common elements. Next, we demonstrate that after subsequent tutoring, birds prefer tutor songs regardless of whether these contain more common or less common elements. In adulthood, birds tutored with more common elements showed a higher song similarity to their tutor song, indicating that the early bias influenced song learning. Our findings help to understand the maintenance of similarities and the presence of differences among birds'' songs, their dialects and human languages.     

THE COMMUNICATIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF TONALITY IN BIRDSONG: RESPONSES TO SONGS PRODUCED IN HELIUM

ABSTRACT

“Pure tones” are a distinctive acoustic feature of many birdsongs. Recent research on songbird vocal physiology suggests that such tonal sounds result from a coordinated interaction between the syrinx and a vocal filter, as demonstrated by the emergence of harmonic overtones when a bird sings in helium. To investigate the communicative significance of vocal tract filtration in the production of birdsong, we used field playback experiments to compare the responses of male swamp sparrows Melospiza georgiana to normal songs and those same songs recorded in helium. We also measured responses to pure tone songs that had been shifted upward in frequency to match the average spectra of those songs with added harmonics. Male sparrows were significantly more responsive to the playback of normal songs than to either helium songs with added harmonics or frequency- shifted pure tone songs. Songs with harmonics retained a high degree of salience, however. We conclude that explanations for the occurrence of tonal sounds in birdsongs must consider perceptual attributes of songs as communicative signals, as well as problems of song production and transmission.     

Vocal mimicry by the Black-browed Reed Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps: objective identification of mimetic sounds

Vocal mimicry by the Black-browed Reed Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps was investigated. To identify mimicry objectively, we measured similarities between the sounds of models and those of Warblers by means of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) using a set of acoustic parameters. Of the sounds suspected of being mimicry according to visual inspection of sonagrams, only 57% were identifiable as mimicry according to PCA. Previous studies have not included quantitative criteria for assessing vocal mimicry, and our results suggest that judgements might not be reliable in the absence of objective criteria. Male Warblers incorporated the mimetic sounds into their songs, and each male mimicked 2–5 species. We found no evidence that females preferred males with large mimetic repertoires. This suggests that vocal mimicry has not evolved in response to selection by females in this species, although our analysis did not reveal entire mimetic repertoires in the Warbler songs.     

Acoustic studies on the mechanism of sound production in the mating songs of the melon fly,Dacus cucurbitae Coquillett (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The sound production mechanism in the male mating songs for the melon flyDacus cucurbitae Coquillett was acoustically investigated to determine whether sounds resulted from free wing-fanning or stridulation produced by contact between wing and abdominal pecten. Waveforms in the songs of normal (pecten-present) males showed more complex vibrations than those of pecten-removed males. The total harmonic distortion in normal songs was greater than that of the pecten-removed songs. Female (pecten-absent) songs showed different sound signatures on the oscillogram and frequency spectrum from normal male songs. The female songs had more harmonic components than the normal male songs. These results suggest that wing/pecten stridulation of normal male songs produces complicated wing oscillations with a small number of harmonics of near-periodic waveforms and a high harmonic distortion. They also suggest that the free wing-fanning observed during female and pecten-removed male songs produces simple and uniform wing oscillations with many harmonic contents of complex-periodic waveforms and low harmonic distortion. Despite the occurrence of some acoustic differences, pecten-removal did not positively influence the rate of copulation.