Adaptive optimal sound for vocal communication in tunnels of a subterranean mammal (Spalax ehrenbergi)

G. Heth; E. Frankenberg; E. Nevo

doi:10.1007/BF01946426

Adaptive optimal sound for vocal communication in tunnels of a subterranean mammal (Spalax ehrenbergi)

G. Heth, E. Frankenberg, E. Nevo

Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The adaptive value of sound signal characteristics for transmission in the underground tunnel ecotope was tested using tunnels of the solitary territorial subterranean mole rats. We analyzed the propagation of synthetic calls with various frequencies through natural tunnels along different distances. Here we present evidence that sound propagation proved efficient only across short distances (a few meters). The least attenuation of sounds occurred at low frequencies. The 440 Hz sound was transmitted better than the lower (220 Hz) or higher (880, 1760, 3520 Hz) tested frequencies. These characteristics matched perfectly with the mole rat features of vocalization and hearing, thus reflecting the operation of natural selection for adaptive vocal communication in the underground tunnel ecotope.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1287-1289
Number of pages	3
Journal	Experientia
Volume	42
Issue number	11-12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01946426
State	Published - Dec 1986

Keywords

Sound transmission underground
subterranean mole rats
vocal communication

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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10.1007/BF01946426

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abstract = "The adaptive value of sound signal characteristics for transmission in the underground tunnel ecotope was tested using tunnels of the solitary territorial subterranean mole rats. We analyzed the propagation of synthetic calls with various frequencies through natural tunnels along different distances. Here we present evidence that sound propagation proved efficient only across short distances (a few meters). The least attenuation of sounds occurred at low frequencies. The 440 Hz sound was transmitted better than the lower (220 Hz) or higher (880, 1760, 3520 Hz) tested frequencies. These characteristics matched perfectly with the mole rat features of vocalization and hearing, thus reflecting the operation of natural selection for adaptive vocal communication in the underground tunnel ecotope.",

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AU - Nevo, E.

PY - 1986/12

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N2 - The adaptive value of sound signal characteristics for transmission in the underground tunnel ecotope was tested using tunnels of the solitary territorial subterranean mole rats. We analyzed the propagation of synthetic calls with various frequencies through natural tunnels along different distances. Here we present evidence that sound propagation proved efficient only across short distances (a few meters). The least attenuation of sounds occurred at low frequencies. The 440 Hz sound was transmitted better than the lower (220 Hz) or higher (880, 1760, 3520 Hz) tested frequencies. These characteristics matched perfectly with the mole rat features of vocalization and hearing, thus reflecting the operation of natural selection for adaptive vocal communication in the underground tunnel ecotope.

AB - The adaptive value of sound signal characteristics for transmission in the underground tunnel ecotope was tested using tunnels of the solitary territorial subterranean mole rats. We analyzed the propagation of synthetic calls with various frequencies through natural tunnels along different distances. Here we present evidence that sound propagation proved efficient only across short distances (a few meters). The least attenuation of sounds occurred at low frequencies. The 440 Hz sound was transmitted better than the lower (220 Hz) or higher (880, 1760, 3520 Hz) tested frequencies. These characteristics matched perfectly with the mole rat features of vocalization and hearing, thus reflecting the operation of natural selection for adaptive vocal communication in the underground tunnel ecotope.

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Adaptive optimal sound for vocal communication in tunnels of a subterranean mammal (Spalax ehrenbergi)

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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