Acoustic communication underground: vocalization characteristics in subterranean social mole-rats (Cryptomys sp., Bathyergidae) |
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| Authors: | S Credner H Burda F Ludescher |
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| Institution: | Zentrum der Morphologie, J.W. Goethe-Universit?tsklinikum, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, DE
Abteilung Allgemeine Zoologie, FB 9-Biologie, Universit?t GH- Essen, D-45117 Essen, Germany, Tel.: +49-201/183-2453 Tel. and Fax: +49-201/183-3768 e-mail: hynek.burda@uni-essen.de, DE
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| Abstract: | In captive adult Zambian mole-rats 14 different sounds (13 true vocalizations) have been recorded during different behavioural
contexts. The sound analysis revealed that all sounds occurred in a low and middle frequency range with main energy below
10 kHz. The majority of calls contained components of 1.6–2 kHz, 0.63–0.8 kHz, and/or 5–6.3 kHz. The vocalization range thus
matched well the hearing range as established in other studies. The frequency content of courtship calls in two species of
Zambian Cryptomys was compared with that in naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber) and blind mole-rats (Spalax ehrenbergi) as described in the literature. The frequency range of maximum sound energy is negatively correlated with the body weight
and coincides with the frequencies of best hearing in the respective species. In general, the vocalization range in subterranean
mammals is shifted towards low frequencies which are best propagated in underground burrows.
Accepted: 16 September 1996 |
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| Keywords: | Mole-rat Vocalization Acoustic communication Subterranean mammal Hearing Evolution |
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