Acoustic communication underground: vocalization characteristics in subterranean social mole-rats ( Cryptomys sp., Bathyergidae)

Credner, Susanne; Burda, Hynek; Ludescher, F.

doi:10.1007/s003590050045

Cited by 57 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Higher frequencies are presumably absorbed by the walls of the tunnels, whereas lower frequencies are weakened because of reflection at the walls (Heth et al, 1986). The hearing range as well as main frequencies of vocalization in subterranean rodents studied so far match well the specific burrow acoustics (Brü ckmann and Credner et al, 1997, and references therein).…”

Section: Ecology Of Hearingmentioning

confidence: 57%

Functional morphology of the ear in fossorial rodents, Microtus arvalis and Arvicola terrestris

Lange¹,

Stalleicken²,

Burda³

2004

Journal of Morphology

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Functionally relevant features and parameters of the outer, middle, and inner ear were studied morphologically and morphometrically in two species of voles, smaller Microtus arvalis and larger Arvicola terrestris. The findings in these fossorial (i.e., burrowing) rodents with components of surface activity were compared with respective findings reported for taxonomically related muroid rodents representing the same size classes but different eco-morphotypes: obligate subterranean rodents (Ellobius talpinus and Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies) and generalized rodents (Mus domesticus and Rattus norvegicus). The ear in voles was characterized by traits reported for subterranean rodents. The eardrum was round, without a distinct pars flaccida, and had an area of 5.4 mm2 in M. arvalis and 9 mm2 in A. terrestris. The middle ear exhibited reduced goniale, enlarged incus nearly parallel to the manubrium of the malleus. The malleus-incus lever ratio amounted to 2.1 (M. arvalis) and 2.0 (A. terrestris). The malleus-incus complex weighed about 0.8 mg in both vole species. The stapedial footplate had an area of 0.3 mm2 in M. arvalis and 0.4 mm2 in A. terrestris. The cochlea had 2.3 coils in both vole species; the basilar membrane was 8.5 mm and 10.5 mm long in M. arvalis and A. terrestris, respectively. There were on average 1,030 (M. arvalis) and 1,220 (A. terrestris) inner hair cells, and 3,760 (M. arvalis) and 4,250 (A. terrestris) outer hair cells in the organ of Corti. In quantitative terms, all these (as well as some further) traits and parameters were intermediate (related to body size) between those reported for generalized rodents on the one hand and subterranean ones on the other. The sound transmission system of the ear seems to be best tuned to frequencies of about 8-16 kHz with a high-frequency cut-off at about 50-60 kHz. The ear of A. terrestris seems to be tuned to somewhat lower frequencies than that in M. arvalis. In this aspect as well as regarding hearing sensitivity (as judged from the mechanical transmission parameters), voles can be considered intermediate not only in their lifestyle but also in their hearing abilities between the subterranean rodents (mole-vole and blind mole-rat) and the surface dwellers (house mouse and Norway rat).

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Section: Ecology Of Hearingmentioning

confidence: 57%

Functional morphology of the ear in fossorial rodents, Microtus arvalis and Arvicola terrestris

Lange¹,

Stalleicken²,

Burda³

2004

Journal of Morphology

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“…Consequently, subterranean mammals have evolved numerous remarkable adaptations, including physiological (e.g. progression of non-visual senses such as olfaction: Heth et al, 1992;and hearing: Nevo, Heth & Pratt, 1991;Credner, Burda & Ludescher, 1997;Klauer, Burda & Nevo, 1997;Narins et al, 1997) and sociological (e.g. complex social structures: Jarvis et al, 1994;Clarke & Faulkes, 1997;Faulkes et al, 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Melatonin secretion in a strictly subterranean mammal, the Damaraland mole‐rat (Cryptomys damarensis)

et al. 2003

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Subterranean mammals inhabit an environment that is normally devoid of light and are therefore deprived of photoperiodic information that can be used to time important life-history events. An assessment was made of whether melatonin secretion in a strictly subterranean rodent, the Damaraland mole-rat Cryptomys damarensis, can be modified by photoperiod. In experiment 1, a clear diurnal rhythm of melatonin secretion in animals housed under a neutral photoperiod (12L:12D) was observed, with significantly higher melatonin concentrations in the dark compared to the light phase. The same diurnal melatonin rhythm was found 1 day after animals were transferred to either continuous light or continuous dark, suggesting that a circadian rhythm was maintained under acute exposure to light and dark. In experiment 2, melatonin secretion was monitored in a long (14L:10D) and short day (10L:14D) photoperiod and was found to be modified by the photoperiodic change. We therefore suggest that the Damaraland mole-rat possesses a circadian melatonin rhythm that can be physiologically modulated in response to photoperiod.

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“…Among rodents, subterranean species constitute a special group due to the singular characteristics of their habitat. The animals live in total darkness and many of them are blind (Credner et al 1997). Therefore, vocalizations, along with olfaction and tactility, become important channels of communication between subterranean rodents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Juvenile vocalizations ofCtenomys talarum (Rodentia: Octodontidae)

Schleich

Busch

2002

Acta Theriol

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2002. Juvenile vocalizations of Ctenomys talarum (Rodentia: Octodontidae). Acta Theriologica: 25-33.We analysed the physical structure and functional interpretation of juvenile vocalizations of Ctenomys talarum Thomas, 1898. Two sounds, one true vocalization (care--elicitation call) and one mechanical sound (nursing sound) were recorded during the nestling period. Care-elicitation calls were emitted by isolated pups and caused the mother to respond by immediately approaching the pups to take care of them. This maternal response to the care-elicitation calls of C. talarum pups, together with the production of these vocalizations during the first weeks after birth, when pups depend exclusively on their mother to obtain food and maintain their body temperature, give preliminary support for the recent theory that care-elicitation cries are honest advertisements of offspring need.

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Acoustic communication underground: vocalization characteristics in subterranean social mole-rats ( Cryptomys sp., Bathyergidae)

Cited by 57 publications

References 15 publications

Functional morphology of the ear in fossorial rodents, Microtus arvalis and Arvicola terrestris

Functional morphology of the ear in fossorial rodents, Microtus arvalis and Arvicola terrestris

Melatonin secretion in a strictly subterranean mammal, the Damaraland mole‐rat (Cryptomys damarensis)

Juvenile vocalizations ofCtenomys talarum (Rodentia: Octodontidae)

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