TY - CHAP
T1 - Rat ultrasonic vocalization
T2 - Short-range communication
AU - Brudzynski, Stefan M.
AU - Fletcher, Neville H.
PY - 2010/1/1
Y1 - 2010/1/1
N2 - Rodents are subjected to a significant environmental pressure as prey for a large number of carnivore predators. Ultrasonic vocalization is one of the defensive adaptations which minimize the chances of being detected by a predator. Two mechanisms of ultrasound production in the larynx are discussed, with a whistle mechanism being the most probable one. Physical features of ultrasounds, such as greater directionality, greater attenuation, greater scattering, decreased localizability than vocalizations audible to humans and suitability for communication in underground burrows, make ultrasound a superior alternative to sonic vocalization for short-range communication, particularly in emergencies.
AB - Rodents are subjected to a significant environmental pressure as prey for a large number of carnivore predators. Ultrasonic vocalization is one of the defensive adaptations which minimize the chances of being detected by a predator. Two mechanisms of ultrasound production in the larynx are discussed, with a whistle mechanism being the most probable one. Physical features of ultrasounds, such as greater directionality, greater attenuation, greater scattering, decreased localizability than vocalizations audible to humans and suitability for communication in underground burrows, make ultrasound a superior alternative to sonic vocalization for short-range communication, particularly in emergencies.
KW - alarm calls
KW - conspecific communication
KW - defensive adaptation
KW - evolution of ultrasound calls
KW - rat
KW - rodents
KW - ultrasonic vocalization
KW - whistle mechanism
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85016324491&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/B978-0-12-374593-4.00008-5
DO - 10.1016/B978-0-12-374593-4.00008-5
M3 - Chapter
T3 - Handbook of Behavioral Neuroscience
SP - 69
EP - 76
BT - Handbook of Behavioral Neuroscience
ER -