Evidence for a perception of prosodic cues in bat communication: contact call classification by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Megaderma lyra</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Simone Janßen Sabine Schmidt |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany |
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Abstract: | The perception of prosodic cues in human speech may be rooted in mechanisms common to mammals. The present study explores
to what extent bats use rhythm and frequency, typically carrying prosodic information in human speech, for the classification
of communication call series. Using a two-alternative, forced choice procedure, we trained Megaderma lyra to discriminate between synthetic contact call series differing in frequency, rhythm on level of calls and rhythm on level
of call series, and measured the classification performance for stimuli differing in only one, or two, of the above parameters.
A comparison with predictions from models based on one, combinations of two, or all, parameters revealed that the bats based
their decision predominantly on frequency and in addition on rhythm on the level of call series, whereas rhythm on level of
calls was not taken into account in this paradigm. Moreover, frequency and rhythm on the level of call series were evaluated
independently. Our results show that parameters corresponding to prosodic cues in human languages are perceived and evaluated
by bats. Thus, these necessary prerequisites for a communication via prosodic structures in mammals have evolved far before
human speech. |
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Keywords: | Acoustic communication Affect cues Bat Evolution of prosody Identity cues |
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