Project 4106: T. Riede, A. Kobrina, L. Bone, T. Darwaiz, B. Pasch. 2022. Mechanisms of sound production in deer mice (Peromyscus spp.). Journal of Experimental Biology. 225 (9):null.
Specimen: Peromyscus californicus (MWU/Male 8)
View: Thyroid cartilage

Abstract

Rodent diversification is associated with a large diversity of species-specific social vocalizations generated by two distinct laryngeal sound production mechanisms- whistling and airflow-induced vocal fold vibration. Understanding the relative importance of each modality to context-dependent acoustic interactions requires comparative analyses among closely related species. In this study, we used light gas experiments, acoustic analyses, and laryngeal morphometrics to identify the distribution of the two mechanisms among six species of deer mice (Peromyscus). We found that high frequency vocalizations (simple and complex sweeps) produced in close-distance contexts were generated by a whistle mechanism. In contrast, lower frequency sustained vocalizations (SVs) used in longer distance communication were produced by airflow-induced vocal fold vibrations. Pup isolation calls, which resemble adult SVs, were also produced by airflow-induced vocal fold vibrations. Nonlinear phenomena (NLP) were common in adult SVs and pup isolation calls, suggesting irregular vocal fold vibration characteristics. Both vocal production mechanisms were facilitated by a characteristic laryngeal morphology, including a two-layered vocal fold lamina propria, small vocal membrane-like extensions on the free edge of the vocal fold, and a singular ventral laryngeal air pocket known as the ventral pouch. The size and composition of vocal folds (rather than total laryngeal size) appears to contribute to species-specific acoustic properties. Our findings suggest that dual modes of sound production are more widespread among rodents than previously appreciated. Additionally, the common occurrence of NLP highlight the nonlinearity of the vocal apparatus, whereby small changes in anatomy or physiological control trigger large changes in behavioral output. Finally, consistency in mechanisms of sound production used by neonates and adults underscores the importance of considering vocal ontogeny in the diversification of species-specific acoustic signals.


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Article DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243695

Project DOI: 10.7934/P4106, http://dx.doi.org/10.7934/P4106
This project contains
  • 289 Media
  • 1 Document
  • 6 Taxa
  • 48 Specimens
Total size of project's media files: 421.29M

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MorphoBank Project 4106
  • Creation Date:
    14 October 2021
  • Publication Date:
    29 July 2022

    This research
    supported by

    Authors' Institutions

    • Midwestern University

    • Northern Arizona University



    Members

    member name taxa specimens media
    Tobias Riede
    Project Administrator
    648289


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