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Jorgewich‐Cohen G, Wheatley M, Gaspar L, Praschag P, Lubberink N, Ming K, Rodriguez N, Ferrara C. Prehatch Calls and Coordinated Birth in Turtles. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70410. [PMID: 39440206 PMCID: PMC11494248 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 10/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Hatching synchronisation is widespread in oviparous taxa. It has been demonstrated that many species use sounds to coordinate synchronous hatching, being widespread among archosaurs (birds and crocodilians). Recent studies have shown that some turtle species produce vocalisations from within the egg, but the role of this behaviour in synchronising hatch is untested. The small amount of information about sound production by turtle embryos, limited to a handful of closely related species, precludes any inferences based on differences in their ecology, reproductive behaviour and phylogenetic context. With the goal to investigate if coordinated synchronous behaviour is mediated by within-egg vocalisations in turtles, we recorded clutches from six different turtle species. The selected animals present different ecological and reproductive niches and belong to distinct phylogenetic lineages at the family level. We aimed to understand: (1) what is the phylogenetic distribution of within-egg vocal behaviour among turtles; (2) if asynchronous turtle species vocalise from within the egg; (3) if clutch size influences synchronous behaviour and (4) if within-egg turtle calls follow any phylogenetic signal. The new evidence provides light to the current knowledge about synchronous behaviour and within-egg calls, challenging previous hypothesis that within-egg sounds are accidentally produced as side-effects of other behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Jorgewich‐Cohen
- Department of PalaeontologyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Department of Evolutionary AnthropologyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Madeleine Wheatley
- Turtle Island – Turtle Conservation and Research CentreGrazStyriaAustria
| | - Lucas Pacciullio Gaspar
- Departamento de Biodiversidade, Laboratório de Ecologia Espacial e conservação (LEEC)Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Campus Rio ClaroRio ClaroSão PauloBrazil
| | - Peter Praschag
- Turtle Island – Turtle Conservation and Research CentreGrazStyriaAustria
| | | | - Keesha Ming
- Department of PalaeontologyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Nicholas A. Rodriguez
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
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2
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Wang T, Yang J, Lei J, Huang J, Shi H, Wang J. Peripheral hearing sensitivity is similar between the sexes in a benthic turtle species despite the larger body size of males. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70130. [PMID: 39130099 PMCID: PMC11310098 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70130] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Sexually dimorphic hearing sensitivity has evolved in many vertebrate species, and the sex with a larger body size typically shows more sensitive hearing. However, generalizing this association is controversial. Research on sexually dimorphic hearing sensitivity contributes to an understanding of auditory sense functions, adaptations, and evolution among species. Therefore, the hypothesized association between body size and hearing needs further validation, especially in specific animal groups. In this study, we assessed hearing sensitivity by measuring auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) in both sexes of 3-year-old Chinese softshell turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis). In this species, male bodies are larger than those of female, and individuals spend most of their lives in the mud at the bottom of freshwater habitats. We found that for both sexes, the hearing sensitivity bandwidth was 0.2-0.9 kHz. Although males were significantly larger than females, no significant differences in ABR thresholds or latencies were found between males and females at the same stimulus frequency. These results indicate that P. sinensis hearing is only sensitive to low-frequency (typically <0.9 kHz) sound signals and that sexually dimorphic hearing sensitivity is not a trait that has evolved in P. sinensis. Physiological and environmental reasons may account for P. sinensis acoustic communication via low-frequency sound signals and the lack of sexually dimorphic hearing sensitivity in these benthic turtles. The results of this study refine our understanding of the adaptation and evolution of the vertebrate auditory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongliang Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life SciencesHainan Normal UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Jinxia Yang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life SciencesHainan Normal UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Jinhong Lei
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life SciencesHainan Normal UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Jingdeng Huang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life SciencesHainan Normal UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Haitao Shi
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life SciencesHainan Normal UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Jichao Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life SciencesHainan Normal UniversityHaikouChina
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3
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Chevallier D, Maucourt L, Charrier I, Lelong P, Le Gall Y, Menut E, Wallace B, Delvenne C, Vincze O, Jeantet L, Girondot M, Martin J, Bourgeois O, Lepori M, Fournier P, Fournier-Chambrillon C, Régis S, Lecerf N, Lefebvre F, Aubert N, Arthus M, Pujol M, Nalovic MA, Nicolas M, Burg MC, Chevallier P, Chevallier T, Landreau A, Meslier S, Larcher E, Le Maho Y. The response of sea turtles to vocalizations opens new perspectives to reduce their bycatch. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16519. [PMID: 39019952 PMCID: PMC11255315 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67501-z] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Incidental capture of non-target species poses a pervasive threat to many marine species, with sometimes devastating consequences for both fisheries and conservation efforts. Because of the well-known importance of vocalizations in cetaceans, acoustic deterrents have been extensively used for these species. In contrast, acoustic communication for sea turtles has been considered negligible, and this question has been largely unexplored. Addressing this challenge therefore requires a comprehensive understanding of sea turtles' responses to sensory signals. In this study, we scrutinized the avenue of auditory cues, specifically the natural sounds produced by green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Martinique, as a potential tool to reduce bycatch. We recorded 10 sounds produced by green turtles and identified those that appear to correspond to alerts, flight or social contact between individuals. Subsequently, these turtle sounds-as well synthetic and natural (earthquake) sounds-were presented to turtles in known foraging areas to assess the behavioral response of green turtles to these sounds. Our data highlighted that the playback of sounds produced by sea turtles was associated with alert or increased the vigilance of individuals. This therefore suggests novel opportunities for using sea turtle sounds to deter them from fishing gear or other potentially harmful areas, and highlights the potential of our research to improve sea turtles populations' conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Chevallier
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Quartier Degras, Petite Anse, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France.
| | - Léo Maucourt
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Quartier Degras, Petite Anse, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
- Université des Antilles, Campus de Schoelcher, 97275, Schoelcher Cedex, France
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400, Saclay, France
| | - Isabelle Charrier
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400, Saclay, France
| | - Pierre Lelong
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Quartier Degras, Petite Anse, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
- Université des Antilles, Campus de Schoelcher, 97275, Schoelcher Cedex, France
| | - Yves Le Gall
- Ifremer, Service Acoustique Sous-marine et Traitement de l'Information, Direction de la Flotte Océanographique, ZI de la Pointe du Diable - CS 10070, 29280, Plouzane, France
| | - Eric Menut
- Ifremer, Service Acoustique Sous-marine et Traitement de l'Information, Direction de la Flotte Océanographique, ZI de la Pointe du Diable - CS 10070, 29280, Plouzane, France
| | - Bryan Wallace
- Ecolibrium, Inc., 5343 Aztec Drive, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, 1900 Pleasant St, Boulder, CO, 80302, USA
| | - Cyrielle Delvenne
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Quartier Degras, Petite Anse, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- LIttoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266, CNRS Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17042, La Rochelle Cedex, France
| | - Lorène Jeantet
- African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, 7 Melrose Rd, Muizenberg, Cape Town, 7950, South Africa
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Victoria Street, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
| | - Marc Girondot
- CNRS, AgroParisTech, Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jordan Martin
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Quartier Degras, Petite Anse, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
| | - Ouvéa Bourgeois
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Quartier Degras, Petite Anse, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
| | - Muriel Lepori
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Quartier Degras, Petite Anse, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
| | - Pascal Fournier
- Groupe de Recherche et d'Etude pour la Gestion de l'Environnement, Route de Préchac, 33730, Villandraut, France
| | | | - Sidney Régis
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Quartier Degras, Petite Anse, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
| | - Nicolas Lecerf
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Quartier Degras, Petite Anse, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
| | - Fabien Lefebvre
- Association ACWAA, Quartier l'Etang, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
| | - Nathalie Aubert
- Association ACWAA, Quartier l'Etang, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
| | - Mosiah Arthus
- Solda Lanmè - Caribbean Sea Soldier, 61 rue Anca Bertrand, Cité Dillon, 97200, Fort de France, France
| | - Matthieu Pujol
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Quartier Degras, Petite Anse, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
| | | | - Moulanier Nicolas
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Quartier Degras, Petite Anse, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
| | - Marie-Clémence Burg
- BOREA Research Unit, Laboratoire de Biologie des Organismes et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, Station de Recherche Marine de Martinique, Quartier Degras, Petite Anse, 97217, Les Anses d'Arlet, France
| | - Pascale Chevallier
- ANSLO-S Association naturaliste de soutien logistique à la science, 7 Avenue Georges Clémenceau, 49280, La Tessoualle, France
| | - Tao Chevallier
- ANSLO-S Association naturaliste de soutien logistique à la science, 7 Avenue Georges Clémenceau, 49280, La Tessoualle, France
| | - Antony Landreau
- ANSLO-S Association naturaliste de soutien logistique à la science, 7 Avenue Georges Clémenceau, 49280, La Tessoualle, France
| | - Stéphane Meslier
- ANSLO-S Association naturaliste de soutien logistique à la science, 7 Avenue Georges Clémenceau, 49280, La Tessoualle, France
| | - Eugène Larcher
- Mairie des Anses d'Arlet, Boulevard des Arlésiens, 97217, Les Anses-d'Arlet, France
| | - Yvon Le Maho
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 23 rue Becquerel, 67000, Strasbourg, France
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4
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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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5
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Salas AK, Capuano AM, Harms CA, Piniak WED, Mooney TA. Frequency-dependent temporary threshold shifts in the Eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta picta). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 155:3254-3266. [PMID: 38742964 DOI: 10.1121/10.0026021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Testudines are a highly threatened group facing an array of stressors, including alteration of their sensory environment. Underwater noise pollution has the potential to induce hearing loss and disrupt detection of biologically important acoustic cues and signals. To examine the conditions that induce temporary threshold shifts (TTS) in hearing in the freshwater Eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta picta), three individuals were exposed to band limited continuous white noise (50-1000 Hz) of varying durations and amplitudes (sound exposure levels ranged from 151 to 171 dB re 1 μPa2 s). Control and post-exposure auditory thresholds were measured and compared at 400 and 600 Hz using auditory evoked potential methods. TTS occurred in all individuals at both test frequencies, with shifts of 6.1-41.4 dB. While the numbers of TTS occurrences were equal between frequencies, greater shifts were observed at 600 Hz, a frequency of higher auditory sensitivity, compared to 400 Hz. The onset of TTS occurred at 154 dB re 1 μPa2 s for 600 Hz, compared to 158 dB re 1 μPa2 s at 400 Hz. The 400-Hz onset and patterns of TTS growth and recovery were similar to those observed in previously studied Trachemys scripta elegans, suggesting TTS may be comparable across Emydidae species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andria K Salas
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA
| | - Alyssa M Capuano
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA
| | - Craig A Harms
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Morehead City, North Carolina 28557, USA
| | - Wendy E D Piniak
- Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516, USA
| | - T Aran Mooney
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA
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6
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Mullaney CM, Seminoff JA, Lemons GE, Chesney B, Maurer AS. The urban lives of green sea turtles: Insights into behavior in an industrialized habitat using an animal-borne camera. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11282. [PMID: 38665891 PMCID: PMC11044005 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The cryptic and aquatic life histories of sea turtles have made them a challenging group to directly observe, leaving significant knowledge gaps regarding social behavior and fine-scale elements of habitat use. Using a custom-designed animal-borne camera, we observed previously undocumented behaviors by green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at a foraging area in San Diego Bay, a highly urbanized ecosystem in California, USA. We deployed a suction-cup-attached pop-off camera (manufactured by Customized Animal Tracking Solutions) on 11 turtles (mean straight carapace length = 84.0 ± 11.2 cm) for between 1 and 30.8 h. Video recordings, limited to sunlit hours, provided 73 h of total observation time between May 2022 and June 2023. We observed 32 conspecific interactions; we classified 18 as active, entailing clear social behaviors, as compared with 14 passive interactions representing brief, chance encounters. There was no evidence for agonistic interactions. The camera additionally revealed that green turtles consistently use metal structures within urban San Diego Bay. In seven instances, turtles exhibited rubbing behavior against metal structures, and we observed two examples of turtles congregating at these structures. High rates of intraspecific interaction exhibited relatively consistently among individuals provide a compelling case for sociality for green turtles in San Diego Bay, adding to a growing research base updating their historical label of "non-social." The frequent use of metal structures by the population, in particular the rubbing of exposed skin, has implications for behavioral adaptations to urban environments. Our study exemplifies the promise of technological advances (e.g., underwater and animal-borne cameras) for updating natural history paradigms, even for well-studied populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron M. Mullaney
- University of CaliforniaSan Diego, La JollaCaliforniaUSA
- NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science CenterLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | | | | | | | - Andrew S. Maurer
- NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science CenterLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
- National Research CouncilWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
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7
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Diversity of Underwater Vocalizations in Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050812. [PMID: 36899669 PMCID: PMC10000088 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050812] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Sound communication is important for underwater species. The wild population of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is listed as vulnerable. However, its vocalization, which can serve as the basis for ecological and evolutionary research, has not been studied. Here, we performed underwater recordings of 23 Chinese soft-shelled turtles of different ages and sexes and identified 720 underwater calls. The turtle calls were manually divided into 10 call types according to visual and aural inspection properties. The similarity test indicated that the manual division was reliable. We described the acoustic properties of the calls and the statistical analysis showed that the peak frequency of calls was significantly different between adult females and males, and also between subadults and adults. Similar to other aquatic turtles that prefer to live in deep water, Chinese soft-shelled turtles have a high vocal diversity and many harmonic calls, indicating that this highly aquatic species developed a variety of vocalizations to enhance their underwater communication, which helped them adapt to the complex and dim underwater environment. Furthermore, the turtles showed a tendency for vocalization to become more diverse with age.
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Oliveira REMD, Attademo FLN, Sousa ACFCD, Magalhães MDS, Oliveira RMD, de Moura CEB, Silva AR, Pereira AF, Fragoso ABL, Silva FJDL, Oliveira MFD. Oropharyngeal cavity floor morphology in Eretmochelys imbricata (Testudines: Cheloniidae) hatchlings and evolutionary implications. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023; 306:343-353. [PMID: 36054069 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Morphological studies of the oropharyngeal cavity of chelonians have become an interesting tool in the understanding of evolutionary processes associated with feeding habits in aquatic animals and the transition from aquatic to terrestrial forms. In this context, the aim of the present study was to describe the oropharyngeal cavity floor morphology of hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) hatchlings. Ten dead hatchlings of undefined sex were obtained from nests hatched on the coast of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The heads of each specimen were fixed, dissected, and analyzed at the macroscopic and microscopic levels. The oropharyngeal cavity floor of the hawksbill sea turtle hatchlings is formed by the tongue, pharynx, floor muscles, and hyolingual skeleton, delimited in the rostral and lateral directions by a keratinized beak, called the rhamphotheca, and in the caudal region at the limit between the pharynx and the esophagus. The tongue muscles and the muscles that support the floor of the oral cavity comprise the following: m. hypoglossohyoideus, m. hypoglossoglossus, m. hyoglossus, m. genioglossus, m. constrictor laryngis, m. geniohyoideus pars lateralis, and m. intermandibularis. The oropharyngeal cavity floor mucosa is formed by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium and the lamina propria is formed by loose connective tissue. The floor mucosa is devoid of taste buds. We believe that the basic oropharyngeal cavity floor characteristics in hawksbill sea turtle hatchlings may comprise indications that these animals are plesiomorphic and that semiaquatic and terrestrial turtles may have undergone adaptations to feed out of water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radan Elvis Matias de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal (PPGCA), Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.,Centro de Estudos e Monitoramento Ambiental (CEMAM), Areia Branca, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.,Projeto Cetáceos da Costa Branca (PCCB), Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Loffler Niemeyer Attademo
- Centro de Estudos e Monitoramento Ambiental (CEMAM), Areia Branca, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.,Centro Universitário Internacional (UNINTER), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Ana Caroline Freitas Caetano de Sousa
- Departamento de Ciências Animais, Laboratório de Morfofisiologia Animal Aplicada (LABMORFA), Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | | | - Rysónely Maclay de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal (PPGCA), Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.,Projeto Cetáceos da Costa Branca (PCCB), Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Bezerra de Moura
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal (PPGCA), Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Rodrigues Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal (PPGCA), Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Alexsandra Fernandes Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal (PPGCA), Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Ana Bernadete Lima Fragoso
- Centro de Estudos e Monitoramento Ambiental (CEMAM), Areia Branca, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.,Projeto Cetáceos da Costa Branca (PCCB), Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Flávio José de Lima Silva
- Centro de Estudos e Monitoramento Ambiental (CEMAM), Areia Branca, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.,Projeto Cetáceos da Costa Branca (PCCB), Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.,Programa Regional de Pós-Graduação em Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente (PRODEMA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Moacir Franco de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal (PPGCA), Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
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9
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Zhou L, Lei J, Zhai X, Shi H, Wang J. Chinese striped-neck turtles vocalize underwater and show differences in peak frequency among different age and sex groups. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14628. [PMID: 36655045 PMCID: PMC9841902 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Turtle vocalizations play an important role throughout their lives by expressing individual information (position, emotion, or physiological status), reflecting mating preferences, and synchronizing incubation. The Chinese striped-neck turtle (Mauremys sinensis) is one of the most widely distributed freshwater turtles in China, whose wild population is critically endangered. However, its vocalization has not been studied, which can be the basis for behavioral and ecological studies. Methods Five different sex-age groups of turtles were recorded underwater in a soundproof room. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis for classification of Chinese striped-neck turtle calls were unreasonable. The turtle calls were manually sought using visual and aural inspection of the recordings in Raven Pro 1.5 software and classified according to differences perceived through auditory inspection and the morphological characteristics of the spectrograms. The results of similarity analysis verified the reliability of manual classification. We compared the peak frequency of the calls among different age and sex groups. Results We identified ten M. sinensis call types, displayed their spectra and waveforms, and described their auditory characteristics. Most calls produced by the turtles were low-frequency. Some high-frequency call types, that are common in other turtle species were also produced. Similar to other turtles, the Chinese striped-neck turtle generates harmonic vocalizations. Courtship behaviors were observed when one of the call types occurred in the mixed-sex group. Adult females produced more high-frequency call types, and subadult males had higher vocalizations than other groups. These results provide a basis for future research on the function of vocalizations, field monitoring, and conservation of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhou
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Jinhong Lei
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaofei Zhai
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Haitao Shi
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Jichao Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
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Zhou L, Zhao LH, Li H, Wang T, Shi H, Wang J. Underwater vocalizations of Trachemys scripta elegans and their differences among sex–age groups. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1022052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify underwater vocalizations in red-eared turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) and assess differences between sexes and ages. We recorded the underwater vocalizations of the red-eared sliders and identified 12 call types through manual visual and aural inspection of the recordings. Similarity analysis verified that manual classification was relatively reliable. The call types of the turtle were described and displayed as spectrograms and waveforms. The turtles produced fewer high-frequency call types than low-frequency types in all recordings. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the frequencies and duration of the calls of red-eared turtles between different sexes and ages. Males vocalized pulse calls very frequently, whereas a high proportion of high-frequency call types was emitted by the female adult group. The male subadult group emitted higher frequencies of Type A, B, and C calls, which is in accordance with the phenomenon that vocal frequency is often inversely proportional to the turtle size. Some call types produced by red-eared turtles were above the frequency range of their known hearing range. This may have been a by-product of the sound production mechanism or it may have adaptive value in mitigating interference to communication from low-frequency noise common in natural waters in communication The behavioral implications of these vocalizations and whether turtles can hear such high sounds warrant further study.
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Lacroix C, Davy CM, Rollinson N. Hatchling vocalizations and beneficial social interactions in subterranean nests of a widespread reptile. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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12
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Charrier I, Jeantet L, Maucourt L, Régis S, Lecerf N, Benhalilou A, Chevallier D. First evidence of underwater vocalisations in green sea turtles Chelonia mydas. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2022. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Field A, McGlashan JK, Salmon M. Evidence for Synchronous Hatching in Marine Turtle (Caretta caretta) Embryos and Its Influence on the Timing of Nest Emergence. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1489.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Field
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 USA [; ]
| | - Jessica K. McGlashan
- School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 2751 Australia []
| | - Michael Salmon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 USA [; ]
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Sensing underground activity: diel digging activity pattern during nest escape by sea turtle hatchlings. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Mariette MM, Clayton DF, Buchanan KL. Acoustic developmental programming: a mechanistic and evolutionary framework. Trends Ecol Evol 2021; 36:722-736. [PMID: 34052045 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Conditions experienced prenatally, by modulating developmental processes, have lifelong effects on individual phenotypes and fitness, ultimately influencing population dynamics. In addition to maternal biochemical cues, prenatal sound is emerging as a potent alternative source of information to direct embryonic development. Recent evidence suggests that prenatal acoustic signals can program individual phenotypes for predicted postnatal environmental conditions, which improves fitness. Across taxonomic groups, embryos have now been shown to have immediate adaptive responses to external sounds and vibrations, and direct developmental effects of sound and noise are increasingly found. Establishing the full developmental, ecological, and evolutionary impact of early soundscapes will reveal how embryos interact with the external world, and potentially transform our understanding of developmental plasticity and adaptation to changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mylene M Mariette
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia.
| | - David F Clayton
- Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
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Ferrara CR, Vogt RC, Sousa-Lima RS, Lenz A, Morales-Mávil JE. Sound Communication in Embryos and Hatchlings of Lepidochelys kempii. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1386.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard C. Vogt
- Department of Biodiversity, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil cep 69083.000 []
| | | | - Anna Lenz
- Instituto de Neuroetologia, Universidad Veracruzana, Jalapa, Veracruz, México [; ]
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