02566nas a2200229 4500008004100000245021900041210006900260520168300329653001502012653001902027653001702046653002202063653002402085100002402109700002702133700002402160700002202184700002802206700002602234700002202260856005402282 2019 eng d00aPhylogenetic relationship and variation of alarm call traits of populations of red‐cheeked ground squirrels ( Spermophilus erythrogenys sensu lato) suggest taxonomic delineation0 aPhylogenetic relationship and variation of alarm call traits of 3 a

Distribution area and taxonomic borders within the species complex Spermophilus erythrogenys sensu lato remain questionable. Early evidence suggests that red‐cheeked ground squirrels of Southeast Kazakhstan are remarkably different in terms of the acoustic structure of their alarm calls from the red‐cheeked ground squirrels of the Kurgan region in Russia. In this study, we analyzed the differences in the acoustic structure of the alarm call and mitochondrial DNA (complete control region, 1005–1006 bp and complete cytochrome b gene, 1140 bp) in 3 populations of red‐cheeked ground squirrels (Tara, Altyn‐Emel and Balkhash), all located within areas isolated by geographical barriers in Southeast Kazakhstan. We found that the alarm call variables were similar between the 3 study populations and differed by the maximum fundamental frequency (8.46 ± 0.75 kHz) from the values (5.62 ± 0.06 kHz) reported for the red‐cheeked ground squirrels from the Kurgan region of Russia. Variation in mtDNA control region was only 3% and variation in cytochrome b gene was only 2.5%. Phylogenetic trees based on cytochrome b gene polymorphism of 44 individuals from the study area and adjacent territories indicated 3 clades with high (98–100%) bootstrap support: “intermedius,” “brevicauda” and “iliensis”). We conclude that the 3 study populations in Southeast Kazakhstan belong to the clade intermedius and suggest a taxonomical revision of the species complex Spermophilus erythrogenys sensu lato, including analyses of nuclear DNA and alarm calls for populations of the brevicauda and iliensis clades.

10aalarm call10acontrol region10acytochrome b10amitochondrial DNA10avocal communication1 aMatrosova, Vera, A.1 aIVANOVA, Anastasia, D.1 aVolodina, Elena, V.1 aVolodin, Ilya, A.1 aAlexandrov, Dmitry, Yu.1 aSibiryakova, Olga, V.1 aErmakov, Oleg, A. uhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/17494877/14/402307nas a2200241 4500008004100000022001400041245009600055210006900151260001600220490000700236520154300243653002201786653001901808653002201827653002401849653001901873100002601892700002501918700002601943700002401969700001701993856005502010 2018 eng d a0340-544300aAge and social affinity effects on contact call interactions in free-ranging spider monkeys0 aAge and social affinity effects on contact call interactions in  cJan-12-20180 v723 a

Nonhuman primates’ vocal repertoire has shown little plasticity, with immatures producing adult-like acoustic structures. Yet, the use of different call types shows a degree of socially dependent flexibility during development. In several nonhuman primate species, group members exchange contact calls respecting a set of social and temporal rules that may be learned (e.g., overlap avoidance, turn-taking, social selection of interacting partners, and call type matching). Here, we study the use of contact calls in free-living adult and immature (old and young) spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). We focused our study in two contact call types of the species’ repertoire: whinnies and high-whinnies. Our results suggest that individuals in all age classes produced both call types, with immatures producing less frequently the whinny call type. Immature individuals exchanged calls less often than adults, although their contribution increased with age. Conversely, mature individuals regulated their emissions by (1) exchanging more calls with their preferred affiliative partner and (2) matching the call type, while immatures did not. Our results show that contact call usage changes during development and suggest that adult rules might be learned. We argue that call matching is a “conversational rule” that young individuals acquire with apparent call-type-dependent variations during development. Our findings support the idea that social factors influence vocal development in nonhuman primates.

10aAcoustic matching10aCall exchanges10aNew World monkeys10avocal communication10avocal learning1 aBriseno-Jaramillo, M.1 aRamos-Fernández, G.1 aPalacios-Romo, T., M.1 aSosa-López, J., R.1 aLemasson, A. uhttp://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00265-018-2615-202579nas a2200265 4500008004100000022001400041245009500055210006900150260001600219520172900235653002501964653001101989653002802000653002502028653002402053100002402077700002002101700001902121700001702140700001902157700002002176700001602196700001502212856008602227 2018 eng d a1045-224900aAcoustic stability in hyrax snorts: vocal tightrope-walkers or wrathful verbal assailants?0 aAcoustic stability in hyrax snorts vocal tightropewalkers or wra cOct-10-20193 a

The source-filter theory proposes that information on caller properties is communicated through acoustic qualities, as physical state and performance ability are reflected in the voice. Vocal stability, manifested through harshness, is especially intriguing and has rarely been explored although harsh sounds are prevalent in nature. Male rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) produce loud complex calls that we term songs. Only the calls of older, socially dominant males include a harsh sound termed snort. As snorts are the rarest element in songs, we hypothesized that high-quality snorts are difficult to produce, and that their quality consists in the ability to maintain smoothness throughout this low-pitched, harsh call. We quantified harshness by measuring periodicity deviations and expected to find a link between social parameters (residence, rank, and weight) and the ability to produce longer, smoother snorts. In addition, we presumed that if calls are used as vocal contests, conspecifics would avoid answering songs that exhibit a higher acoustic ability than their own songs. We found that in wild hyrax songs, snort harshness was associated with both weight and social rank, but in opposite directions. Heavier males produced smoother snorts and higher-ranked individuals produced harsher snorts, possibly indicating aggressiveness. Playback experiments showed that longer and harsher synthetic snorts, inserted into natural songs, reduced conspecific answer rates. Snorts may communicate complex information on hyrax weight and dominance by means of element length and harshness. Our present results provide a stimulating insight into the understanding of acoustics in mammalian vocal communication.

10ainner arousal theory10ajitter10anonlinear vocalizations10asource-filter theory10avocal communication1 aWeissman, Yishai, A1 aDemartsev, Vlad1 aIlany, Amiyaal1 aBarocas, Adi1 aBar-Ziv, Einat1 aShnitzer, Inbar1 aGeffen, Eli1 aKoren, Lee uhttps://academic.oup.com/beheco/advance-article/doi/10.1093/beheco/ary141/514236302711nas a2200241 4500008004100000245011600041210006900157300001400226490000800240520193100248653001402179653003302193653001002226653002302236653001402259653002802273653002002301653002402321100002102345700003402366700002502400856004402425 2018 eng d00aTestosterone pulses at the nest site modify ultrasonic vocalization types in a monogamous and territorial mouse0 aTestosterone pulses at the nest site modify ultrasonic vocalizat a804–8150 v1243 a

Modulation of baseline testosterone (T) via long‐lasting T implants alters territorial, sexual, and social behavior of animals in the field. Transient T increases occur in numerous species after social interactions, but these transient increases in T have not been manipulated in the field. In the laboratory, these T increases can influence future behavior for days, causing changes in social behavior and inducing preferences for specific locations. We manipulated transient increases in T in the field at the nests of the monogamous and territorial California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) to examine long‐term (>24 hr) changes in ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). Males of bonded male–female dyads (=pair) were administered a T injection (vs. saline) three times over seven days and USVs of the male–female dyad were measured for three days after the last injection. At T nests, the male–female dyad produced significantly more 1SV (one call SV: an SV is a sustained vocalization that is long in duration and low in modulation) and 4SV (four call SV) type USVs than controls, but no significant changes in aggressive barks. Overall, male–female dyad mice at T nests produced a greater diversity in call types such that 1SV, 4SV, 5SV, and a complex sweep were produced at T nests but not control nests. There were significantly more USVs produced at T nests on night 2 after the final injection. There were no differences in spectral characteristics of SV calls or aggressive barks between T and control nests. The function of the changes that occurred is unknown, but is consistent with increased long‐term changes in behavioral interactions with nest mates and may reflect T‐induced conditioned place preferences to the nest site. Significantly, transient increases in T influence future acoustic communication under field conditions with competing biotic and abiotic stimuli.

10aandrogens10aconditioned place preference10afield10amale‐female dyad10apair bond10aPeromyscus californicus10asocial behavior10avocal communication1 aTimonin, Mary, E1 aKalcounis-Rueppell, Matina, C1 aMarler, Catherine, A uhttps://bio.acousti.ca/pt-pt/node/5325602834nas a2200325 4500008004100000245010900041210006900150260001600219300000800235490000600243520186600249653001502115653001502130653001702145653001802162653001302180653002402193100001902217700002202236700002302258700001702281700002102298700002502319700002102344700002902365700002002394700002902414700002202443856004302465 2018 eng d00aDuetting Patterns of Titi Monkeys (Primates, Pitheciidae: Callicebinae) and Relationships with Phylogeny0 aDuetting Patterns of Titi Monkeys Primates Pitheciidae Callicebi cJan-10-2018 a1780 v83 a

Long-range vocal communication in socially monogamous titi monkeys is mediated by the production of loud, advertising calls in the form of solos, duets, and choruses. We conducted a power spectral analysis of duets and choruses (simply “duets” hereafter) followed by linear discriminant analysis using three acoustic parameters—dominant frequency of the combined signal, duet sequence duration, and pant call rate—comparing the coordinated vocalizations recorded from 36 family groups at 18 sites in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. Our analysis identified four distinct duetting patterns: (1) a donacophilus pattern, sensu stricto, characteristic of P. donacophilus, P. pallescens, P. olallae, and P. modestus; (2) a moloch pattern comprising P. discolor, P. toppini, P. aureipalatii, and P. urubambensis; (3) a torquatus pattern exemplified by the duet of Cheracebus lucifer; and (4) the distinctive duet of P. oenanthe, a putative member of the donacophilus group, which is characterized by a mix of broadband and narrowband syllables, many of which are unique to this species. We also document a sex-related difference in the bellow-pant phrase combination among the three taxa sampled from the moloch lineage. Our data reveal a presumptive taxonomic incoherence illustrated by the distinctive loud calls of both P. urubambensis and P. oenanthe within the donacophilus lineage, sensu largo. The results are discussed in light of recent reassessments of the callicebine phylogeny, based on a suite of genetic studies, and the potential contribution of environmental influences, including habitat acoustics and social learning. A better knowledge of callicebine loud calls may also impact the conservation of critically endangered populations, such as the vocally distinctive Peruvian endemic, the San Martin titi, P. oenanthe.

10aCallicebus10aCheracebus10aconservation10aPlecturocebus10ataxonomy10avocal communication1 aAdret, Patrice1 aDingess, Kimberly1 aCaselli, Christini1 aVermeer, Jan1 aMartínez, Jesus1 aAmancio, Jossy, Luna1 avan Kuijk, Silvy1 aLineros, Lucero, Hernani1 aWallace, Robert1 aFernandez-Duque, Eduardo1 aDi Fiore, Anthony uhttp://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/10/17802594nas a2200217 4500008004100000022001300041245004000054210004000094260001600134300001400150490000800164520199400172653002102166653001202187653002502199653001902224653002402243100001902267700002402286856006602310 2017 eng d a0003347200aCall concatenation in wild meerkats0 aCall concatenation in wild meerkats cJan-12-2017 a257 - 2690 v1343 a

Repertoire size, frequently determined by the number of discrete call types, has been used to assess vocal complexity in animals. However, species can also increase their communicative complexity by using graded signals or by combining individual calls. Animal call sequences can be divided into two main categories, each subdivided into two classes: repetitions, with either an unlimited or finite number of iterations of the same call type, and mixed call combinations, composed of two or more graded or discrete call types. Social contexts involve a wide range of behaviours and, unlike predation contexts, can be associated with both positive and negative emotions. Therefore, interactions linked to social contexts may place additional demands on an animal's communicative system and lead to the use of call com- binations. We systematically documented call combinations produced by wild meerkats, Suricata sur- icatta, a highly social carnivore, in social contexts in their natural habitat. We observed 12 distinct call combinations belonging to all four classes of combination, produced in all the observed behavioural contexts. Four combinations were each produced in a specific context whereas the remaining eight were produced in several contexts, albeit in different proportions. The broad use of combinations suggests that they represent a non-negligible part of meerkat social communication and that they can be used in flexible ways across various behavioural contexts. Comparison with combinations produced in predation contexts indicated that social call combinations are more varied in number of classes and structural complexity than the former, perhaps due to the greater variety of social contexts. However, in meerkats, combinations of functionally referential calls have been documented in predation but not social contexts, suggesting that both social and predation pressures may play a role in the evolution of combinatoriality in animal communication.

10acall combination10ameerkat10anatural observations10asocial context10avocal communication1 aCollier, Katie1 aTownsend, Simon, W. uhttp://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S000334721630346302742nas a2200277 4500008004100000022001300041245011000054210007100164260001600235300001400251490000800265520188700273653001702160653002702177653001102204653001502215653003202230653002002262653002402282653001202306100002202318700002002340700002002360700001802380856006602398 2017 eng d a0003347200aConflict or consensus? Synchronous change in mother–young vocal communication across weaning in the cat0 aConflict or consensus Synchronous change in mother–young vocal c cJan-08-2017 a233 - 2400 v1303 a

Since parent–offspring conflict theory was first proposed, a number of studies in a range of mammalian species have questioned its importance, suggesting that coordination, rather than conflict, occurs during weaning. In this study we propose a set of behaviours for studying the development of the mother–offspring relationship: offspring separation calls and the corresponding maternal response, which can be used to describe the continually developing motivational changes in both parties accompanying weaning. We recorded and analysed separation calls of kittens of the domestic cat, Felis silvestris catus, during the first two postnatal months, and performed playback experiments to observe their mothers' behavioural response. Three different stimuli were played back: calls of the mothers' kittens at their correct age, calls of their kittens from an earlier age (1 week old) and a control sound. We found that kittens' separation calls changed in several respects across the 8 weeks of the study. After the first postnatal month, the number, intensity and fundamental frequency of calls declined markedly, while kittens' latency to call increased. In parallel, we found that during playback tests, mothers' willingness to return to the nest or reunite with their kittens decreased notably as the kittens approached weaning age. Since this decline was present even when mothers were played back the calls of their own kittens previously recorded at an earlier age, we conclude that the decline in responsiveness was not due to a change in the kittens' vocalizations, but rather to a change in the mothers' motivational state. Our findings support the view that weaning in the domestic cat is a well-synchronized process between mothers and offspring, at least under the favourable nutritional conditions of the present study.

10adomestic cat10aFelis silvestris catus10amammal10amotivation10aparent–offspring conflict10aseparation call10avocal communication10aweaning1 aBánszegi, Oxána1 aSzenczi, Péter1 aUrrutia, Andrea1 aHudson, Robyn uhttp://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S000334721730200202327nas a2200241 4500008004100000022001300041245007100054210006900125260001600194300001200210490000800222520161100230653001401841653002601855653002801881653001001909653001801919653002401937100001801961700002401979700001602003856006602019 2017 eng d a0003347200aTennis grunts communicate acoustic cues to sex and contest outcome0 aTennis grunts communicate acoustic cues to sex and contest outco cJan-08-2017 a47 - 550 v1303 a

Despite their ubiquity in human behaviour, the communicative functions of nonverbal vocalizations remain poorly understood. Here, we analysed the acoustic structure of tennis grunts, nonverbal vocal- izations produced in a competitive context. We predicted that tennis grunts convey information about the vocalizer and context, similar to nonhuman vocal displays. Speci fi cally, we tested whether the fundamental frequency (F0) of tennis grunts conveys static cues to a player's sex, height, weight, and age, and covaries dynamically with tennis shot type (a proxy of body posture) and the progress and outcome of male and female professional tennis contests. We also performed playback experiments (using natural and resynthesized stimuli) to assess the perceptual relevance of tennis grunts. The F0 of tennis grunts predicted player sex, but not age or body size. Serve grunts had higher F0 than forehand and backhand grunts, grunts produced later in contests had higher F0 than those produced earlier, and grunts produced during contests that players won had a lower F0 than those produced during lost contests. This difference in F0 between losses and wins emerged early in matches, and did not change in magnitude as the match progressed, suggesting a possible role of physiological and/or psychological factors manifesting early or even before matches. Playbacks revealed that listeners use grunt F0 to infer sex and contest outcome. These fi ndings indicate that tennis grunts communicate information about both the vocalizer and contest, consistent with nonhuman mammal vocalizations.

10adominance10afundamental frequency10anonverbal vocalizations10apitch10atennis grunts10avocal communication1 aRaine, Jordan1 aPisanski, Katarzyna1 aReby, David uhttp://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S000334721730197502310nas a2200217 4500008004100000022001400041245009700055210006900152260001600221490000700237520161500244653002101859653002801880653002501908653003201933653001701965653002401982100002102006700002002027856004502047 2017 eng d a1712-656800aAutonomous recording units in avian ecological research: current use and future applications0 aAutonomous recording units in avian ecological research current  cJan-01-20170 v123 aAcoustic surveys are a widely used sampling tool in ecological research and monitoring. They are used to monitor populations and ecosystems and to study various aspects of animal behavior. Autonomous recording units (ARUs) can record sound in most environments and are increasingly used by researchers to conduct acoustic surveys for birds. In this review, we summarize the use of ARUs in avian ecological research and synthesize current knowledge of the benefits and drawbacks of this technology. ARUs enable researchers to do more repeat visits with less time spent in the field, with the added benefits of a permanent record of the data collected and reduced observer bias. They are useful in remote locations and for targeting rare species. ARUs are mostly comparable to human observers in terms of species richness, but in some cases, they detect fewer species and at shorter distances. Drawbacks of ARUs include the cost of equipment, storage of recordings, loss of data if units fail, and potential sampling trade-offs in spatial vs. temporal coverage. ARUs generate large data sets of audio recordings, but advances in automated species recognition and acoustic processing techniques are contributing to make the processing time manageable. Future applications of ARUs include biodiversity monitoring and studying habitat use, animal movement, and various behavioral ecology questions based on vocalization activity. ARUs have the potential to make significant advances in avian ecological research and to be used in more innovative ways than simply as a substitute for a human observer in the field. 10aacoustic surveys10aBiodiversity monitoring10anoninvasive sampling10apassive acoustic monitoring10apoint counts10avocal communication1 aShonfield, Julia1 aBayne, Erin, M. uhttp://www.ace-eco.org/vol12/iss1/art14/