Convergence and divergence in Diana monkey vocalizations

Individually distinct vocalizations are widespread among social animals, presumably caused by variation in vocal tract anatomy. A less-explored source of individual variation is due to learned movement patterns of the vocal tract, which can lead to vocal convergence or divergence in social groups. We studied patterns of acoustic similarity in a social call produced by 14 female Diana monkeys (Cercopithecus diana) in two free-ranging groups. Calls showed variability in fundamental frequency contours owing to individual identity and external context. Vocal divergence increased significantly between females during poor visibility and tended to increase in the presence of neighbours. In contrast, vocal convergence increased significantly between females during vocal interactions, because females matched the frequency contour of their own call with another female's preceding call. Our findings demonstrate that these primates have some control over the acoustic fine structure of their most important social vocalization. Vocal convergence and divergence are two opposing processes that enable callers to ensure spatial proximity and social cohesion with other group members.     

Characterization of yeast groupings in the phyllosphere of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphagnum</Emphasis> mosses

Significant differences were revealed in the taxonomic structure of the epiphytic yeast communities formed on Sphagnum mosses and on the leaves of vascular plants. On mosses, low abundance of red yeasts was found (the most typical epiphytes on vascular plant leaves), along with a relatively high content and diversity of nonpigmented dimorphic basidiomycetes related to the order Leucosporidiales. The species composition of epiphytic yeasts from mosses is different from that of both forest and meadow grasses and of the parts of vascular plants submerged in the turf. The specific composition of the Sphagnum mosses yeast community is probably determined by the biochemical characteristics of this environment, rather than by the hydrothermal regime in the turf.     

The effects of the false vocal fold gaps on intralaryngeal pressure distributions and their effects on phonation

Human phonation does not merely depend on the vibration of the vocal folds. Research by clinical and computer simulations has demonstrated that the false vocal fold (FVF) is an important laryngeal con-striction that plays a vital role during human voice production. This study explored the effects of the FVF gaps using both the three-dimensional Plexiglas model and the numerical computation methods. Twelve FVF gaps (ranging from 0.02 to 2.06 cm) were used in this study at three glottal angles (uniform and convergent/divergent 40°), two minimal glottal diameters (Dg) (0.04 cm and 0.06 cm) separately, and the constant subglottal pressure (8 cm H2O). The results suggested that (1) the intralaryngeal pressure was the lowest and the flow was the highest (least flow resistance) when the FVF gap was 1.5-2 times greater than Dg; (2) the divergent glottal angle gave lower pressure and greater flow than the conver-gent and uniform glottal angle as there were no FVF conditions; (3) the presence of the FVF decreased the effects of the glottal angle to a certain extent; and more importantly, (4) the presence of the FVF also moved the separation points downstream, straightened the glottal jet for a longer distance, decreased the overall laryngeal resistance, and reduced the energy dissipation, suggesting the significance of FVF in efficient voice production. These results may be incorporated in the phonatory models (physical or computational) for better understanding of vocal mechanics. The results might also be helpful in exploring the surgical and rehabilitative intervention of related voice problems.     

全喉与半喉模型声门区内准稳态流场分布研究

对于非对称声带发声过程的研究,有助于将正常语音的研究拓展到病理状态,从而为嗓音康复工程打下基础。采用具有嵌入式可活动声门结构的喉部物理模型,研究了声门最小直径为0．0402cm．跨声门压分别为100、500、1000和1500Pa时,全喉及半喉内的准稳态流场分布及其与发声参量的关系。同时．运用三维有限元方法预测了上述边界条件对应的流场分布,计算结果有效地支持了实验数据。结果表明,对称结构下存在着非对称压力和速度成分,但是由于它所占的比率有限(不超过10％),对正常发声的影响不大。非对称结构下,由声门入口处极高的上下表面压力差(通常为跨声门压的1-3倍)导致的倾斜流和涡流的出现、气流分离点位置后移、分离区域增大、声门出入口间压差占跨声门压的比率降低(平均30％)、压力速度场的变化程度减弱等因素以及由此带来的能量损耗,是非对称结构下发声效率降低、发音失真的主要原因。研究提示：声门重建方案的设计应尽量满足对称结构原则。     

Effect of lesion of nucleus robustus archistriatalis on call in bramble finch ( Fringilla montifringilla )

The lesion of nucleus robustus archistriatalis (RA) has no effect on normal short calls in the bramble finch, but affects significantly the temporal and acoustic features of learned long calls. It causes the principal frequency of basic sound in monotone long calls to increase 500 cents, and to lose two upper partials. The lesion of RA not only results in the increased sound length of loud-sound and shortened coda of variable-tone long calls by 13.4%–22.1% and 21.2%–24.2% on average, respectively, but also makes the frequency rising coefficient (FRC) of even order partial tone in loud-sound drop 18.5%–25.8% on an average, and the step-up rate decrease 22.7% –24.0% on an average with the increase of frequencies. These results show that the control of temporal and frequency features of learned calls by RA matches to each other. Moreover, the lesion of bilateral RA can confuse the vocal pattern, and the produced long call has the character of both the mono- and variable-tone long calls. The prelude shows rising frequency, and the loud sound is monotone sound.     

The auditory behaviour of primates: a neuroethological perspective

The ethological approach has already provided rich insights into the auditory neurobiology of a number of different taxa (e.g. birds, frogs and insects). Understanding the ethology of primates is likely to yield similar insights into the specializations of this taxa's auditory system for processing species-specific vocalisations. Here, we review the recent advances made in our understanding of primate vocal perception and its neural basis.     

Attention to elders' voice in non-human primates

The observed respect and attention to elders'' speech in traditional cultures appears to have a ‘universal’ component which questions its possible biological bases. Animals present differential attention to the vocalizations of other individuals according to their characteristics but little is known about the potential propensity to pay more attention to vocalizations of elders. On the basis of several hundreds of vocal exchanges recorded, here we show that aged female Campbell''s monkeys (Cercopithecus campbelli), despite being significantly less ‘loquacious’ than their younger adult counterparts, elicit many more responses when calling. These findings show that attention to elders'' vocal production appears in non-human primates, leading to new lines of questioning on human culture and language evolution.