Acoustic Communication in Subterranean Rodents

Abstract

Why study acoustic communication? And why in subterranean rodents? There are several reasons for studying acoustic communication in this particular group of mammals. First, acoustic communication is of great importance to the organization of animal societies. Animals use vocal signals to elicit specific behaviors, initiate contacts with conspecifics, identify individuals or species, signalize status (reproductive, dominance, territorial), solicit food, warn against predators, and coordinate reproductive efforts (courtship, copulation solicitation, physiological synchrony). Beyond the intra-specific level, acoustic signals are also an important factor in reproductive isolation and speciation processes.