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Gutjahr R, Kéver L, Jonsson T, Talamantes Ontiveros D, Chagnaud BP, Herrel A. Gekko gecko as a model organism for understanding aspects of laryngeal vocal evolution. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb247452. [PMID: 38989535 PMCID: PMC11418165 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.247452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
The ability to communicate through vocalization plays a key role in the survival of animals across all vertebrate groups. Although avian reptiles have received much attention relating to their stunning sound repertoire, non-avian reptiles have been wrongfully assumed to have less elaborate vocalization types, and little is known about the biomechanics of sound production and their underlying neural pathways in this group. We investigated alarm calls of Gekko gecko using audio and cineradiographic recordings. Acoustic analysis revealed three distinct call types: a sinusoidal call type (type 1); a train-like call type, characterized by distinct pulse trains (type 3); and an intermediate type, which showed both sinusoidal and pulse train components (type 2). Kinematic analysis of cineradiographic recordings showed that laryngeal movements differ significantly between respiratory and vocal behavior. During respiration, animals repeatedly moved their jaws to partially open their mouths, which was accompanied by small glottal movements. During vocalization, the glottis was pulled back, contrasting with what has previously been reported. In vitro retrograde tracing of the nerve innervating the laryngeal constrictor and dilator muscles revealed round to fusiform motoneurons in the hindbrain-spinal cord transition ipsilateral to the labeled nerve. Taken together, our observations provide insight into the alarm calls generated by G. gecko, the biomechanics of this sound generation and the underlying organization of motoneurons involved in the generation of vocalizations. Our observations suggest that G. gecko may be an excellent non-avian reptile model organism for enhancing our understanding of the evolution of vertebrate vocalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Gutjahr
- Department of Biology, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Loïc Kéver
- UMR 7179 C.N.R.S/M.N.H.N., Département Adaptations du Vivant, Bâtiment d'Anatomie Comparée, 55 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Thorin Jonsson
- Department of Biology, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Daniela Talamantes Ontiveros
- UMR 7179 C.N.R.S/M.N.H.N., Département Adaptations du Vivant, Bâtiment d'Anatomie Comparée, 55 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | | | - Anthony Herrel
- UMR 7179 C.N.R.S/M.N.H.N., Département Adaptations du Vivant, Bâtiment d'Anatomie Comparée, 55 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
- Department of Biology, Evolutionary Morphology of Vertebrates, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
- Naturhistorisches Museum Bern, 3005 Bern, Switzerland
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2
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Marques de Abreu L, Guerra V, Solé M. Influence of conspecifics and road noise on the properties of the advertisement call of Phyllodytes luteolus (Anura, Hylidae). Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11261. [PMID: 39114176 PMCID: PMC11303979 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Acoustic communication in animals can be affected by multiple biotic (intra and interspecific) and abiotic (e.g., wind and rain) natural noises. In addition, human beings produce additional novel sources of noise, which can reduce or inhibit the reception of acoustic signals by conspecifics, leading to behavioral changes. In this study, we investigated whether sound of conspecifics and road noise additively affect the acoustic parameters of the advertisement call of males of a Yellow Heart-tongued Frog (Phyllodytes luteolus). We hypothesized that males that vocalize in choruses (males calling nearby) and in areas close to highways (anthropic noise) will increase their temporal and spectral acoustic parameters, respectively, to avoid acoustic signal masking. We recorded the vocalizations of 38 males in environments close (N = 18) to and distant (N = 20) from highways in different social contexts (many or few individuals calling nearby). Contrary to our expectation, the results indicated that males calling in areas close to highways had lower dominant frequency calls than those from natural areas (far from highways), and that the density of males in the chorus had no influence on the acoustic parameters. Furthermore, we found a positive relationship between body size and intensity, indicating that larger individuals can emit calls that can reach greater distances. The advertisement call of Phyllodytes luteolus has a high dominant frequency, with little overlap with the frequency of anthropic noises (roads), which may explain its presence and reproductive success of this species in bromeliads from urbanized areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Marques de Abreu
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da BiodiversidadeUniversidade Estadual de Santa CruzIlhéusBahiaBrazil
- Laboratório de Herpetologia TropicalUniversidade Estadual de Santa CruzIlhéusBahiaBrazil
| | - Vinicius Guerra
- Laboratório de Herpetologia e Comportamento Animal, Instituto de Ciências BiológicasUniversidade Federal de GoiásGoiâniaGOBrazil
| | - Mirco Solé
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da BiodiversidadeUniversidade Estadual de Santa CruzIlhéusBahiaBrazil
- Laboratório de Herpetologia TropicalUniversidade Estadual de Santa CruzIlhéusBahiaBrazil
- Herpetology SectionZoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander KoenigBonnGermany
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3
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Lin FC, Lin SM, Godfrey SS. Hidden social complexity behind vocal and acoustic communication in non-avian reptiles. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230200. [PMID: 38768204 PMCID: PMC11391309 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Social interactions are inevitable in the lives of most animals, since most essential behaviours require interaction with conspecifics, such as mating and competing for resources. Non-avian reptiles are typically viewed as solitary animals that predominantly use their vision and olfaction to communicate with conspecifics. Nevertheless, in recent years, evidence is mounting that some reptiles can produce sounds and have the potential for acoustic communication. Reptiles that can produce sound have an additional communicative channel (in addition to visual/olfactory channels), which could suggest they have a higher communicative complexity, the evolution of which is assumed to be driven by the need of social interactions. Thus, acoustic reptiles may provide an opportunity to unveil the true social complexity of reptiles that are usually thought of as solitary. This review aims to reveal the hidden social interactions behind the use of sounds in non-avian reptiles. Our review suggests that the potential of vocal and acoustic communication and the complexity of social interactions may be underestimated in non-avian reptiles, and that acoustic reptiles may provide a great opportunity to uncover the coevolution between sociality and communication in non-avian reptiles. This article is part of the theme issue 'The power of sound: unravelling how acoustic communication shapes group dynamics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chun Lin
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago , Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Si-Min Lin
- School of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University , Taipei, Taiwan
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4
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Anderson KL, Colón L, Doolittle V, Rosario Martinez R, Uraga J, Whitney O. Context-dependent activation of a social behavior brain network during learned vocal production. Brain Struct Funct 2023; 228:1785-1797. [PMID: 37615758 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02693-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Neural activation in brain regions for vocal control is social context dependent. This context-dependent brain activation reflects social context-appropriate vocal behavior but has unresolved mechanisms. Studies of non-vocal social behaviors in multiple organisms suggest a functional role for several evolutionarily conserved and highly interconnected brain regions. Here, we use neural activity-dependent gene expression to evaluate the functional connectivity of this social behavior network within zebra finches in non-social and social singing contexts. We found that activity in one social behavior network region, the medial preoptic area (POM), was strongly associated with the amount of non-social undirected singing in zebra finches. In addition, in all regions of the social behavior network and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), a higher percentage of EGR1 expression was observed during a social female-directed singing context compared to a non-social undirected singing context. Furthermore, we observed distinct patterns of significantly correlated activity between regions of the social behavior network during non-social undirected and social female-directed singing. Our results suggest that non-social vs. social contexts differentially activate this social behavior network and PVN. Moreover, neuronal activity within this social behavior network, PVN, and POM may alter context-appropriate vocal production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L Anderson
- Biology Department, City College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate Center, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lionel Colón
- Biology Department, City College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Violet Doolittle
- Biology Department, City College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Joseph Uraga
- Biology Department, City College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Osceola Whitney
- Biology Department, City College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
- Graduate Center, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Program, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
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5
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Löschner J, Pomberger T, Hage SR. Marmoset monkeys use different avoidance strategies to cope with ambient noise during vocal behavior. iScience 2023; 26:106219. [PMID: 36915693 PMCID: PMC10006620 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple strategies have evolved to compensate for masking noise, leading to changes in call features. One call adjustment is the Lombard effect, an increase in call amplitude in response to noise. Another strategy involves call production in periods where noise is absent. While mechanisms underlying vocal adjustments have been well studied, mechanisms underlying noise avoidance strategies remain largely unclear. We systematically perturbed ongoing phee calls of marmosets to investigate noise avoidance strategies. Marmosets canceled their calls after noise onset and produced longer calls after noise-phases ended. Additionally, the number of uttered syllables decreased during noise perturbation. This behavior persisted beyond the noise-phase. Using machine learning techniques, we found that a fraction of single phees were initially planned as double phees and became interrupted after the first syllable. Our findings indicate that marmosets use different noise avoidance strategies and suggest vocal flexibility at different complexity levels in the marmoset brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Löschner
- Neurobiology of Social Communication, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Hearing Research Center, University of Tübingen, Medical Center, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Pomberger
- Neurobiology of Social Communication, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Hearing Research Center, University of Tübingen, Medical Center, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate School of Neural & Behavioural Sciences - International Max Planck Research School, University of Tübingen, Österberg-Str. 3, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Steffen R Hage
- Neurobiology of Social Communication, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Hearing Research Center, University of Tübingen, Medical Center, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.,Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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6
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Anderson KL, Colón L, Doolittle V, Martinez RR, Uraga J, Whitney O. Context-dependent activation of a social behavior brain network associates with learned vocal production. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2587773. [PMID: 36824963 PMCID: PMC9949236 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2587773/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
In zebra finches, an avian brain network for vocal control undergoes context-dependent patterning of song-dependent activation. Previous studies in zebra finches also implicate the importance of dopaminergic input in producing context-appropriate singing behavior. In mice, it has been shown that oxytocinergic neurons originated in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) synapse directly onto dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), implicating the necessity of oxytocin signaling from the PVN for producing a context-appropriate song. Both avian and non-avian axonal tract-tracing studies indicate high levels of PVN innervation by the social behavior network. Here, we hypothesize that the motivation for PVN oxytocin neurons to trigger dopamine release originates in the social behavior network, a highly conserved and interconnected collection of six regions implicated in various social and homeostatic behaviors. We found that expression of the neuronal activity marker EGR1 was not strongly correlated with song production in any of the regions of the social behavior network. However, when EGR1 expression levels were normalized to the singing rate, we found significantly higher levels of expression in the social behavior network regions except the medial preoptic area during a social female-directed singing context compared to a non-social undirected singing context. Our results suggest neuronal activity within the male zebra finch social behavior network influences the synaptic release of oxytocin from PVN onto dopaminergic projection neurons in the VTA, which in turn signals to the vocal control network to allow for context-appropriate song production.
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7
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Manuel R, Johannes T, Sathyan R, Couldridge VCK. Temporal partitioning of Bullacris unicolor (Orthoptera: Pneumoridae) calling activity to avoid predation. BIOACOUSTICS 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2023.2170469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Robyn Manuel
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Tarné Johannes
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Rekha Sathyan
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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Kunc HP, Morrison K, Schmidt R. A meta-analysis on the evolution of the Lombard effect reveals that amplitude adjustments are a widespread vertebrate mechanism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2117809119. [PMID: 35858414 PMCID: PMC9335264 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2117809119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal communication is central to many animal societies, and effective signal transmission is crucial for individuals to survive and reproduce successfully. One environmental factor that exerts selection pressure on acoustic signals is ambient noise. To maintain signal efficiency, species can adjust signals through phenotypic plasticity or microevolutionary response to natural selection. One of these signal adjustments is the increase in signal amplitude, called the Lombard effect, which has been frequently found in birds and mammals. However, the evolutionary origin of the Lombard effect is largely unresolved. Using a phylogenetically controlled meta-analysis, we show that the Lombard effect is also present in fish and amphibians, and contradictory results in the literature can be explained by differences in signal-to-noise ratios among studies. Our analysis also demonstrates that subcortical processes are sufficient to elicit the Lombard effect and that amplitude adjustments do not require vocal learning. We conclude that the Lombard effect is a widespread mechanism based on phenotypic plasticity in vertebrates for coping with changes in ambient noise levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansjoerg P. Kunc
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5DL, United Kingdom
| | - Kyle Morrison
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5DL, United Kingdom
| | - Rouven Schmidt
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5DL, United Kingdom
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9
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Kundu P, Choi N, Rundus AS, Santer RD, Hebets EA. Uncovering ‘Hidden’ Signals: Previously Presumed Visual Signals Likely Generate Air Particle Movement. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.939133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolf spiders within the genus Schizocosa have become a model system for exploring the form and function of multimodal communication. In terms of male signaling, much past research has focused on the role and importance of dynamic and static visual and substrate-borne vibratory communication. Studies on S. retrorsa, however, have found that female-male pairs were able to successfully mate in the absence of both visual and vibratory stimuli, suggesting a reduced or non-existent role of these signaling modalities in this species. Given these prior findings, it has been suggested that S. retrorsa males may utilize an additional signaling modality during courtship—air particle movement, often referred to as near-field sound—which they likely produce with rapid leg waving and receive using thin filiform sensory hairs called trichobothria. In this study, we tested the role of air-particle movement in mating success by conducting two independent sets of mating trials with randomly paired S. retrorsa females and males in the dark and on granite (i.e., without visual or vibratory signals) in two different signaling environments—(i) without (“No Noise”) and (ii) with (“Noise”) introduced air-particle movement intended to disrupt signaling in that modality. We also ran foraging trials in No Noise/Noise environments to explore the impact of our treatments on overall behavior. Across both mating experiments, our treatments significantly impacted mating success, with more mating in the No Noise signaling environments compared to the Noise environments. The rate of leg waving—a previously assumed visual dynamic movement that has also been shown to be able to produce air particle displacement—was higher in the No Noise than Noise environments. Across both treatments, males with higher rates of leg waving had higher mating success. In contrast to mating trials results, foraging success was not influenced by Noise. Our results indicate that artificially induced air particle movement disrupts successful mating and alters male courtship signaling but does not interfere with a female’s ability to receive and assess the rate of male leg waving.
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10
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Properties of an attention-grabbing motion signal: a comparison of tail and body movements in a lizard. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2022; 208:373-385. [PMID: 35113201 PMCID: PMC9123084 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-022-01544-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Animals signals must be detected by receiver sensory systems, and overcome a variety of local ecological factors that could otherwise affect their transmission and reception. Habitat structure, competition, avoidance of unintended receivers and varying environmental conditions have all been shown to influence how animals signal. Environmental noise is also crucial, and animals modify their behavior in response to it. Animals generating movement-based visual signals have to contend with wind-blown plants that generate motion noise and can affect the detection of salient movements. The lizard Amphibolurus muricatus uses tail flicking at the start of displays to attract attention, and we hypothesized that tail movements are ideally suited to this function. We compared visual amplitudes generated by tail movements with push-ups, which are a key component of the rest of the display. We show that tail movement amplitudes are highly variable over the course of the display but consistently greater than amplitudes generated by push-ups and not constrained by viewing position. We suggest that these features, combined with the tail being a light structure that does not compromise other activities, provide an ideal introductory component for attracting attention in the ecological setting in which they are generated.
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12
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Zhang G, Cui Z, Wu J, Jin B, Zhou D, Liu L, Tang J, Chen Q, Fu Z. Constant Resting Frequency and Auditory Midbrain Neuronal Frequency Analysis of Hipposideros pratti in Background White Noise. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:657155. [PMID: 34113242 PMCID: PMC8185161 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.657155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Acoustic communication signals are inevitably challenged by ambient noise. In response to noise, many animals adjust their calls to maintain signal detectability. However, the mechanisms by which the auditory system adapts to the adjusted pulses are unclear. Our previous study revealed that the echolocating bat, Hipposideros pratti, increased its pulse intensity in the presence of background white noise. In vivo single-neuron recording demonstrated that the auditory midbrain neurons tuned to the second harmonic (H2 neurons) increased their minimal threshold (MT) to a similar degree as the increment of pulse intensity in the presence of the background noise. Furthermore, the H2 neurons exhibited consistent spike rates at their best amplitudes and sharper intensity tuning with background white noise compared with silent conditions. The previous data indicated that sound intensity analysis by auditory midbrain neurons was adapted to the increased pulse intensity in the same noise condition. This study further examined the echolocation pulse frequency and frequency analysis of auditory midbrain neurons with noise conditions. The data revealed that H. pratti did not shift the resting frequency in the presence of background noise. The auditory midbrain neuronal frequency analysis highly linked to processing the resting frequency with the presence of noise by presenting the constant best frequency (BF), frequency sensitivity, and frequency selectivity. Thus, our results suggested that auditory midbrain neuronal responses in background white noise are adapted to process echolocation pulses in the noise conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guimin Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhongdan Cui
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Baoling Jin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dandan Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Long Liu
- College of Science, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Jia Tang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qicai Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ziying Fu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
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13
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Jakobsen L, Christensen-Dalsgaard J, Juhl PM, Elemans CPH. How Loud Can you go? Physical and Physiological Constraints to Producing High Sound Pressures in Animal Vocalizations. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.657254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sound is vital for communication and navigation across the animal kingdom and sound communication is unrivaled in accuracy and information richness over long distances both in air and water. The source level (SL) of the sound is a key factor in determining the range at which animals can communicate and the range at which echolocators can operate their biosonar. Here we compile, standardize and compare measurements of the loudest animals both in air and water. In air we find a remarkable similarity in the highest SLs produced across the different taxa. Within all taxa we find species that produce sound above 100 dBpeak re 20 μPa at 1 m, and a few bird and mammal species have SLs as high as 125 dBpeak re 20 μPa at 1 m. We next used pulsating sphere and piston models to estimate the maximum sound pressures generated in the radiated sound field. These data suggest that the loudest species within all taxa converge upon maximum pressures of 140–150 dBpeak re 20 μPa in air. In water, the toothed whales produce by far the loudest SLs up to 240 dBpeak re 1 μPa at 1 m. We discuss possible physical limitations to the production, radiation and propagation of high sound pressures. Furthermore, we discuss physiological limitations to the wide variety of sound generating mechanisms that have evolved in air and water of which many are still not well-understood or even unknown. We propose that in air, non-linear sound propagation forms a limit to producing louder sounds. While non-linear sound propagation may play a role in water as well, both sperm whale and pistol shrimp reach another physical limit of sound production, the cavitation limit in water. Taken together, our data suggests that both in air and water, animals evolved that produce sound so loud that they are pushing against physical rather than physiological limits of sound production, radiation and propagation.
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Russell AP, Bauer AM. Vocalization by extant nonavian reptiles: A synthetic overview of phonation and the vocal apparatus. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2020; 304:1478-1528. [PMID: 33099849 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Among amniote vertebrates, nonavian reptiles (chelonians, crocodilians, and lepidosaurs) are regarded as using vocal signals rarely (compared to birds and mammals). In all three reptilian clades, however, certain taxa emit distress calls and advertisement calls using modifications of regions of the upper respiratory tract. There is no central tendency in either acoustic mechanisms or the structure of the vocal apparatus, and many taxa that vocalize emit only relatively simple sounds. Available evidence indicates multiple origins of true vocal abilities within these lineages. Reptiles thus provide opportunities for studying the early evolutionary stages of vocalization. The early literature on the diversity of form of the laryngotracheal apparatus of reptiles boded well for the study of form-function relationships, but this potential was not extensively explored. Emphasis shifted away from anatomy, however, and centered instead on acoustic analysis of the sounds that are produced. New investigative techniques have provided novel ways of studying the form-function aspects of the structures involved in phonation and have brought anatomical investigation to the forefront again. In this review we summarize what is known about hearing in reptiles in order to contextualize the vocal signals they generate and the sound-producing mechanisms responsible for them. The diversity of form of the sound producing apparatus and the increasing evidence that reptiles are more dependent upon vocalization as a communication medium than previously thought indicates that they have a significant role to play in the understanding of the evolution of vocalization in amniotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony P Russell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Aaron M Bauer
- Department of Biology and Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
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15
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Thompson MJ, Pearse KA, Foote JR. Seasonal and diel plasticity of song type use in individual ovenbirds (
Seiurus aurocapilla). Ethology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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16
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Legett HD, Madden RP, Aihara I, Bernal XE. Traffic noise differentially impacts call types in a Japanese treefrog (
Buergeria japonica
). Ethology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Henry D. Legett
- Department of Biological Sciences Purdue University West Lafayette IN USA
| | - Ryan P. Madden
- Department of Biological Sciences Purdue University West Lafayette IN USA
| | - Ikkyu Aihara
- Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering University of Tsukuba Tsukuba Japan
| | - Ximena E. Bernal
- Department of Biological Sciences Purdue University West Lafayette IN USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Balboa Panama
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Livens P, Gladiné K, Dirckx JJJ. Eardrum displacement and strain in the Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) under quasi-static pressure loads. Hear Res 2020; 387:107877. [PMID: 31958745 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2019.107877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The eardrum is the primary component of the middle ear and has been extensively investigated in humans. Measuring the displacement and deformation of the eardrum under different quasi-static loading conditions gives insight in its mechanical behavior and is fundamental in determining the material properties of the eardrum. Currently, little is known about the behavior and material properties of eardrums in non-mammals. To explore the mechanical properties of the eardrum in non-mammalian ears, we investigated the quasi-static response of the eardrum of a common lizard: the Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko). The middle ear cavity was pressurized using repetitive linear pressure cycles ranging from -1.5 to 1.5 kPa with pressure change rates of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 kPa/s. The resulting shape, displacement and in-plane strain of the eardrum surface were measured using 3D digital image correlation. When middle-ear pressure is negative, the medial displacement of the eardrum is much larger than the displacement observed in mammals; when middle-ear pressure is positive, the lateral displacement is much larger than in mammals, which is not observed in bird single-ossicle ears. Peak-to-peak displacements are about 2.8 mm, which is larger than in any other species measured up to date. The peak-to-peak displacements are at least five times larger than observed in mammals. The pressure-displacement curves show hysteresis, and the energy loss within one pressure cycle increases with increasing pressure rate, contrary to what is observed in rabbit eardrums. The energy lost during a pressure cycle is not constant over the eardrum. Most energy is lost at the region where the eardrum connects to the hearing ossicle. Around this eardrum-ossicle region, a 5% increase in energy loss was observed when pressure change rate was increased from 0.05 kPa/s to 0.2 kPa/s. Other parts of the eardrum showed little increase in the energy loss. The orientation of the in-plane strain on the eardrum was mainly circumferential with strain amplitudes of about +1.5%. The periphery of the measured eardrum surface showed compression instead of stretching and had a different strain orientation. The TM of Gekko gecko shows the highest displacements of all species measured up till now. Our data show the first shape, displacement and deformation measurements on the surface of the eardrum of the gecko and indicate that there could exist a different hysteresis behavior in different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter Livens
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Biophysics and Biomedical Physics, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Kilian Gladiné
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Biophysics and Biomedical Physics, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Joris J J Dirckx
- University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Biophysics and Biomedical Physics, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
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18
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Caorsi V, Guerra V, Furtado R, Llusia D, Miron LR, Borges-Martins M, Both C, Narins PM, Meenderink SWF, Márquez R. Anthropogenic substrate-borne vibrations impact anuran calling. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19456. [PMID: 31857629 PMCID: PMC6923410 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55639-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic disturbance is a major cause of the biodiversity crisis. Nevertheless, the role of anthropogenic substrate vibrations in disrupting animal behavior is poorly understood. Amphibians comprise the terrestrial vertebrates most sensitive to vibrations, and since communication is crucial to their survival and reproduction, they are a suitable model for investigating this timely subject. Playback tests were used to assess the effects of substrate vibrations produced by two sources of anthropogenic activity– road traffic and wind turbines– on the calling activity of a naïve population of terrestrial toads. In their natural habitat, a buried tactile sound transducer was used to emit simulated traffic and wind turbine vibrations, and changes in the toads’ acoustic responses were analyzed by measuring parameters important for reproductive success: call rate, call duration and dominant frequency. Our results showed a significant call rate reduction by males of Alytes obstetricans in response to both seismic sources, whereas other parameters remained stable. Since females of several species prefer males with higher call rates, our results suggest that anthropogenically derived substrate-borne vibrations could reduce individual reproductive success. Our study demonstrates a clear negative effect of anthropogenic vibrations on anuran communication, and the urgent need for further investigation in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Caorsi
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Dep. de Zoologia, Inst. de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil. .,Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, via Mach 1, S. Michele all'Adige, 38010, TN, Italy. .,Laboratório de Herpetologia e Comportamento Animal, Departamento de Ecologia, Inst. de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
| | - Vinicius Guerra
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Manejo de Recursos Naturais, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil.,Laboratório de Herpetologia e Comportamento Animal, Departamento de Ecologia, Inst. de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Raíssa Furtado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Dep. de Ecologia, Inst. de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, CP 15007, RS, 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Diego Llusia
- Departamento de Ecología, Terrestrial Ecology Group, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), C/Darwin 2, E-28049, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.,Laboratório de Herpetologia e Comportamento Animal, Departamento de Ecologia, Inst. de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Lívia Roese Miron
- Curso de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Avenida Roraima, n 1000, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Márcio Borges-Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Dep. de Zoologia, Inst. de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Camila Both
- Departamento Interdisciplinar, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Campus Litoral Norte, Av. Tramandaí, 976, 95625-000, Imbé, RS, Brazil
| | - Peter M Narins
- Departments of Integrative Biology & Physiology, and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, 621 Charles E. Young Drive S., Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | | | - Rafael Márquez
- Fonoteca Zoológica. Dept. de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain
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19
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A Review of Welfare Assessment Methods in Reptiles, and Preliminary Application of the Welfare Quality ® Protocol to the Pygmy Blue-Tongue Skink, Tiliqua adelaidensis, Using Animal-Based Measures. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9010027. [PMID: 30658490 PMCID: PMC6356264 DOI: 10.3390/ani9010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Reptiles are held at wildlife parks and zoos for display and conservation breeding programs and are increasingly being kept as pets. Reliable indicators of welfare for reptiles need to be identified. Current guidelines for the captive management of reptiles utilize resource-based, rather than animal-based indicators; the latter being a more direct reflection of affective state. In this paper we review the literature on welfare assessment methods in reptiles with a focus on animal-based measures. We conclude that, whilst a number of physiological and behavioral indicators of welfare have been applied in reptiles, there is need for further validation of these methods across the diversity of species within the Class. Methods of positive welfare state assessment are comparatively understudied and need elucidation. Finally, we examine some widely-used welfare assessment tools in mammals and explore the application of the Welfare Quality® Protocol to the endangered pygmy blue-tongue skink, Tiliqua adelaidensis. We propose that this framework can form the basis for the development of taxon-specific tools with consideration of species-specific biology.
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20
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Kragh IM, McHugh K, Wells RS, Sayigh LS, Janik VM, Tyack PL, Jensen FH. Signal-specific amplitude adjustment to noise in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). J Exp Biol 2019; 222:jeb.216606. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.216606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic underwater noise has increased over the past century, raising concern about the impact on cetaceans that rely on sound for communication, navigation, and locating prey and predators. Many terrestrial animals increase the amplitude of their acoustic signals to partially compensate for the masking effect of noise (the Lombard response), but it has been suggested that cetaceans almost fully compensate with amplitude adjustments for increasing noise levels. Here, we use sound-recording DTAGs on pairs of free-ranging common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to test (i) if dolphins increase signal amplitude to compensate for increasing ambient noise and (ii) whether or not adjustments are identical for different signal types. We present evidence of a Lombard response in the range of 0.1-0.3 dB per 1 dB increase in ambient noise, which is similar to that of terrestrial animals, but much lower than the response reported for other cetaceans. We found that signature whistles tended to be louder and with a lower degree of amplitude adjustment to noise compared to non-signature whistles, suggesting that signature whistles may be selected for higher output levels and may have a smaller scope for amplitude adjustment to noise. The consequence of the limited degree of vocal amplitude compensation is a loss of active space during periods of increased noise, with potential consequences for group cohesion, conspecific encounter rates, and mate attraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida M. Kragh
- Zoophysiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, C. F. Moellers Allé, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Katherine McHugh
- Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
| | - Randall S. Wells
- Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
| | - Laela S. Sayigh
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Rd, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
- Hampshire College, 893 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002, USA
| | - Vincent M. Janik
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Peter L. Tyack
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Frants H. Jensen
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Rd, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, Hoegh-Guldbergs Gade 6B, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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21
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Luo J, Hage SR, Moss CF. The Lombard Effect: From Acoustics to Neural Mechanisms. Trends Neurosci 2018; 41:938-949. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2018.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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22
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Zhao L, Sun X, Chen Q, Yang Y, Wang J, Ran J, Brauth SE, Tang Y, Cui J. Males increase call frequency, not intensity, in response to noise, revealing no Lombard effect in the little torrent frog. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:11733-11741. [PMID: 30598771 PMCID: PMC6303699 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Noise is one of the main factors that can influence the processes of sound communication across a wide range of animal groups. Although the effects of ambient noise on animal communication, including anthropogenic noise, have received increasing attention, few studies have examined changes in the fine structure of acoustic signals produced by vocalizing species in constantly noisy environments. Here, we used natural recordings to determine the associations between stream noise and call parameters in the little torrent frog (Amolops torrentis). We also used playbacks of stream noise recorded in natural habitats and playbacks of white noise to examine how male vocal signals change with increasing noise levels. The results show that noise intensity has a significant effect on male call frequency, but not on call amplitude or other call characteristics. Based on this evidence, we suggest that in streamside species stream noise drives males to alter call frequency and call as loudly as possible in order to improve discriminability. These findings provide insights into the role played by ecological selection in the evolution of noise-dependent anuran vocal plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longhui Zhao
- Chengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resource and Eco‐Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
- University of the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoqian Sun
- Chengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
- University of the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Qinghua Chen
- Ministry of Environmental ProtectionSouth China Institute of Environmental SciencesGuangzhouChina
| | - Yue Yang
- Chengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
- University of the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jichao Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Tropical Plant and Animal Ecology, College of Life SciencesHainan Normal UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Jianghong Ran
- Key Laboratory of Bio‐Resource and Eco‐Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life SciencesSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Steven E. Brauth
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMaryland
| | - Yezhong Tang
- Chengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
| | - Jianguo Cui
- Chengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
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23
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Boraud T, Leblois A, Rougier NP. A natural history of skills. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 171:114-124. [PMID: 30171867 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The dorsal pallium (a.k.a. cortex in mammals) makes a loop circuit with the basal ganglia and the thalamus known to control and adapt behavior but the who's who of the functional roles of these structures is still debated. Influenced by the Triune brain theory that was proposed in the early sixties, many current theories propose a hierarchical organization on the top of which stands the cortex to which the subcortical structures are subordinated. In particular, habits formation has been proposed to reflect a switch from conscious on-line control of behavior by the cortex, to a fully automated subcortical control. In this review, we propose to revalue the function of the network in light of the current experimental evidence concerning the anatomy and physiology of the basal ganglia-cortical circuits in vertebrates. We briefly review the current theories and show that they could be encompassed in a broader framework of skill learning and performance. Then, after reminding the state of the art concerning the anatomical architecture of the network and the underlying dynamic processes, we summarize the evolution of the anatomical and physiological substrate of skill learning and performance among vertebrates. We then review experimental evidence supporting for the hypothesis that the development of automatized skills relies on the BG teaching cortical circuits and is actually a late feature linked with the development of a specialized cortex or pallium that evolved in parallel in different taxa. We finally propose a minimal computational framework where this hypothesis can be explicitly implemented and tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Boraud
- CNRS, UMR 5293, IMN, 33000 Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, UMR 5293, IMN, 33000 Bordeaux, France; CNRS, French-Israeli Neuroscience Lab, 33000 Bordeaux, France; CHU de Bordeaux, IMN Clinique, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
| | - Arthur Leblois
- CNRS, UMR 5293, IMN, 33000 Bordeaux, France; University of Bordeaux, UMR 5293, IMN, 33000 Bordeaux, France; CNRS, French-Israeli Neuroscience Lab, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Nicolas P Rougier
- University of Bordeaux, UMR 5293, IMN, 33000 Bordeaux, France; INRIA Bordeaux Sud-Ouest, 33405 Talence, France; LaBRI, University of Bordeaux, IPB, CNRS, UMR 5800, 33405 Talence, France
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24
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de Jong K, Amorim MCP, Fonseca PJ, Heubel KU. Noise Affects Multimodal Communication During Courtship in a Marine Fish. Front Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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25
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de Jong K, Amorim MCP, Fonseca PJ, Fox CJ, Heubel KU. Noise can affect acoustic communication and subsequent spawning success in fish. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 237:814-823. [PMID: 29146199 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
There are substantial concerns that increasing levels of anthropogenic noise in the oceans may impact aquatic animals. Noise can affect animals physically, physiologically and behaviourally, but one of the most obvious effects is interference with acoustic communication. Acoustic communication often plays a crucial role in reproductive interactions and over 800 species of fish have been found to communicate acoustically. There is very little data on whether noise affects reproduction in aquatic animals, and none in relation to acoustic communication. In this study we tested the effect of continuous noise on courtship behaviour in two closely-related marine fishes: the two-spotted goby (Gobiusculus flavescens) and the painted goby (Pomatoschistus pictus) in aquarium experiments. Both species use visual and acoustic signals during courtship. In the two-spotted goby we used a repeated-measures design testing the same individuals in the noise and the control treatment, in alternating order. For the painted goby we allowed females to spawn, precluding a repeated-measures design, but permitting a test of the effect of noise on female spawning decisions. Males of both species reduced acoustic courtship, but only painted gobies also showed less visual courtship in the noise treatment compared to the control. Female painted gobies were less likely to spawn in the noise treatment. Thus, our results provide experimental evidence for negative effects of noise on acoustic communication and spawning success. Spawning is a crucial component of reproduction. Therefore, even though laboratory results should not be extrapolated directly to field populations, our results suggest that reproductive success may be sensitive to noise pollution, potentially reducing fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen de Jong
- Animal Evolutionary Ecology, Institute of Evolution and Ecology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, D- 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Ecological Research Station Rees, Institute for Zoology, University of Cologne, Grietherbusch 3a, D-46459 Rees, Germany.
| | - M Clara P Amorim
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Paulo J Fonseca
- Departamento de Biologia Animal and cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Clive J Fox
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Dunstaffnage, Oban PA37 1QS Scotland, UK.
| | - Katja U Heubel
- Ecological Research Station Rees, Institute for Zoology, University of Cologne, Grietherbusch 3a, D-46459 Rees, Germany.
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