Breaking the communication code
Researchers identified precisely which mouse is making which sound in a study published in Nature Neuroscience. Mouse calls are different depending on the position of the mouse and relate to dominant signals.
Animal Communication
Articles tagged with Animal Communication
Boom and bust for ancient sea dragons
Ichthyosaurs experienced a rapid evolution burst around 250 million years ago but quickly lost their diversity due to overcrowded seas. The group's evolution slowed down significantly over the next 100 million years, leading to less variation between species.
How Chinese opera masks compare to spider evolution
Biology student Jenny Yi-Ti Sung studies how Beijing operas convey details about motivation and character through colorful masks. Her research reveals recurring archetypes and facial features, similar to those found in jumping spiders, which use pattern and color to communicate species, sex, and romantic intentions.
Parrots collaborate with invisible partners
Researchers discovered that peach-fronted conures can collaborate with invisible partners to solve a task, showcasing their sophisticated communication skills. The birds demonstrated unique approaches to the task, with one bird waiting for its partner's signal before picking up the string.
Study traces evolution of acoustic communication
A study tracing acoustic communication across land-living vertebrates reveals that the ability to vocalize dates back to 350 million years ago. The researchers found that this trait is associated with a nocturnal lifestyle, which provides an advantage for sound-based communication.
Study finds deforestation is changing animal communication
A new study has found that deforestation is changing the way howler monkeys communicate in their natural habitats. The research, led by Laura Bolt at the University of Waterloo, reveals that howling duration and intensity vary depending on proximity to forest edges impacted by human activity.
Stand out from the herd: How cows commoonicate through their lives
Research at the University of Sydney found that cows give unique voice cues to express emotions and maintain herd contact. This knowledge can help farmers improve animal welfare by recognizing individual animals' needs.
Rhythmic perception in humans has strong evolutionary roots
A study by Alexandre Celma-Miralles and Juan Manuel Toro found that humans can detect isochronous beats, regardless of other irrelevant features, similar to rats. The researchers suggest that this ability has ancient evolutionary roots and may rely on timing mechanisms present in mammals.
Researchers decipher small Dead Sea mammal's vocal communication
A study on rock hyraxes reveals sexual differences in call duration and amplitude, challenging the Law of Brevity. Female hyraxes produce more affiliative calls, while males prioritize loud self-advertisement songs. The research provides clues for human language evolution.
Characterizing whale vocalization can help map migration
Researchers are using unique whale vocalizations to track the seasonal movements of North Atlantic killer whales, gaining insights into their behavior and ecology. By characterizing individual pods' calls, scientists can better understand their migration patterns and identify potential factors driving changes in their populations.
For better research results, let mice be mice
A new study from the University at Buffalo found that how mice are raised affects their acoustic behavior, which can inform research on human communication disorders. Socially isolated mice required more time to learn to discriminate between ultrasonic vocalizations than socially housed mice.
Marmoset monkeys can learn a new dialect
Researchers found that common marmosets learn and adopt new dialects when moving to a new colony, suggesting socially learned dialects. The study provides insight into the origins of language in primates.
Hush, little baby: Mother right whales 'whisper' to calves
Researchers studied whether mother-calf pairs change their vocalizations to evade predators. The study found that mothers produce a soft, short grunt-like sound to stay in touch with their calves without alerting potential threats. This acoustic communication helps reduce the risk of predation for young calves.
Implanted memories teach birds a song
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center has confirmed brain regions that encode behavioral-goal memories in songbirds. The researchers used optogenetics to implant these memories in zebra finches without tutoring, enabling them to learn syllables of their song. This discovery opens new avenues for research into identifying brain circ...
Microbes make chemicals for scent marking in a cat
A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that many volatile compounds from a male cat's anal sacs are produced by a community of bacteria, rather than the cat itself. This discovery challenges traditional views on scent marking and communication in cats.
'Building blocks' of bird calls resemble human languages
Researchers identified two distinct sound elements in chestnut-crowned babbler calls that are shared across different arrangements and convey no specific meaning. The findings suggest that the capacity to generate meaning from meaningless building blocks is widespread in animals, similar to human language construction.
Building blocks of bird babble identified
Researchers at the University of Zurich and others identified two perceptually distinct sounds in chestnut-crowned babbler calls that are shared across different arrangements. The findings suggest that these elements are meaningless and may be an early step in the emergence of human language.
NUS study reveals similarities in human, chimpanzee, and bonobo eye color patterns
Researchers found that bonobos and humans share a similar contrast between their sclerae and irises, allowing others to detect the direction of their gaze. This discovery suggests that apes may also engage in gaze-following behaviors, previously thought to be uniquely human.
SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2019
Data analysis tool to help scientists make sense of mouse's calls
A new computer tool can reveal valuable insights into rodents' communication patterns and is more reliable than existing methods. The system analyses audio recordings of ultrasonic vocalisations to determine different types of sounds, standardizing interpretations for direct comparisons.
Recursive language and modern imagination were acquired simultaneously 70,000 years ago
A genetic mutation may have triggered acquisition of recursive language and modern imagination in two or more children around 70,000 years ago. This would explain the long-standing mystery of language evolution and the emergence of modern human cognition.
CCNY experts in lateralization of speech publish discovery
Researchers at City College of New York led by biologist Hysell V. Oviedo published a breakthrough study on the inner workings of the brain's language processing in Nature Communications. The study sheds light on miswiring of brain circuits in neurodevelopmental communication disorders, with potential to improve diagnosis and treatment.
Small cluster of neurons is off-on switch for mouse songs
Researchers at Duke University have identified a key cluster of neurons in the mouse brain responsible for producing ultrasonic 'songs.' By controlling these neurons, scientists can make a mouse sing or not on command. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms that allow humans to form speech and communication sounds.
Fluorescence discovered in tiny Brazilian frogs
Researchers found that tiny Brazilian frogs, called pumpkin toadlets, have fluorescent patterns on their backs and heads when exposed to UV light. These patterns are created by bony plates beneath a thin layer of skin, allowing the frog's skeleton to glow under UV illumination.
Three Konstanz researchers win prestigious Human Frontiers grants
Konstanz researchers Dina Dechmann, Alex Jordan, and Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin receive HFSP grants to study seasonal brain change in shrews, coordination in animal groups, and network design inspired by plant societies. The projects aim to uncover new approaches to fundamental biology problems.
Sound sense: Brain 'listens' for distinctive features in sounds
Researchers developed a computational model that explores how the auditory system achieves accurate speech recognition by identifying distinct categories of sounds. The model found that the brain looks for informative features, such as those characteristic of a face, to distinguish between different vocalizations.
Bacteria may help frogs attract mates
Brazilian scientists have found that the strong odor released by some amphibian species is produced by bacteria, assisting in the animal's mating process. The study suggests that the odor serves to permit mutual recognition between males and females of the same species for mating purposes.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2019
White-tailed deer shape acoustic properties of their forest habitat
A study found that white-tailed deer feeding habits shape acoustic properties of their forest habitat, influencing songbird vocalizations. Deer browsing reduces understory vegetation density, leading to improved sound fidelity and clearer information transmission.
Female manakins use male mating call when implanted with male hormones
Researchers found that female manakins can produce a male-specific 'chee-poo' vocalization when implanted with testosterone, while untreated females cannot. In contrast, juvenile males who received testosterone exhibited vocalizations closer to those of treated females than adult males in the wild.
Multi-hop communication: Frog choruses inspire wireless sensor networks
Researchers from Osaka University develop a mathematical model based on frog choruses to design efficient wireless sensor networks. The study finds that frogs' acoustic teachings can be adapted for technological benefit by alternating data transmission and regulating energy consumption.
'DeepSqueak' helps researchers decode rodent chatter
DeepSqueak uses deep artificial neural networks to analyze ultrasonic vocalizations, providing a new tool for studying social behavior in rodents. The researchers found that male mice have distinct songs for different stages of courtship, and that they are more complex when sensing a female mouse nearby.
SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·DateJan 7, 2019
New glimpses into brain uncover neurological basis for processing social information
Studies in mice and marmosets reveal mechanisms underlying social learning and behavior, including neural circuits controlling vocalizations and aggression. The findings provide a clearer picture of the brain's social processing, paving the way for potential treatments for disorders such as autism spectrum disorder.
Male humpback whales change their songs when human noise is present
A study found that male humpback whales reduce or cease singing in areas with high human shipping noise. The authors suggest that ceasing vocalization and moving away may be cost-effective adaptations to avoid the noise.
Bonobo: great ape with a tiny voice
Researchers discovered that bonobos have shorter vocal folds compared to chimpanzees, resulting in lower-pitched voices. This unexpected finding suggests that bonobos use their voice pitch to signal tolerance and non-aggressive interactions with other bonobos.
Successful mouse couples talk out infidelity in calm tones
A study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that California mice who communicate calmly after infidelity are more likely to produce a litter of mouse pups and have good fathers. The quality of their conversations helps predict pair bond success, with less aggressive vocalizations indicating a stronger bond.
I am human, hear me roar: Judging formidability from human vocalizations
Researchers found that humans can estimate physical formidability from nonverbal vocal cues, including aggressive roars and speech. Listeners accurately judged vocalizers' strength in 88% of trials, with men perceiving themselves as stronger than women in similar situations.
BPA can induce multigenerational effects on ability to communicate
Researchers found that BPA exposure in grandparents of mice led to altered vocalization patterns in their offspring, potentially affecting parental care. The study suggests multigenerational effects of BPA on communication deficits in humans with autism or neurobehavioral disorders.
Sex and social experience affect ultrasonic vocalizations in mice
A study published in PLOS ONE found that mouse vocalizations are influenced by sex and social context, with males producing more vocalizations after social interaction. Females, on the other hand, produce similar numbers of vocalizations regardless of prior social experience.
You talking to me? Scientists try to unravel the mystery of 'animal conversations'
An international team of academics reveals that turn-taking behaviour, a hallmark of human conversation, is remarkably widespread across the animal kingdom. The study proposes a new comparative framework for future research on turn-taking behaviour, which may shed light on the evolution of language.
SourceUniversity of York·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateJun 5, 2018
Guppies change their eye color to deter rivals
Researchers found guppies rapidly turn their eyes black to warn rivals, making their eyes more conspicuous as an honest signal of aggression. This behavior is seen in larger guppies dominating smaller ones, but not the other way around.
Fish talk-os: Studying electrocommunication in the wild
A field study in Panama reveals how tropical fish use electric fields to communicate for coordinated behaviors like mating and reproduction. Researchers found distinct signals for attracting mates and signaling fertilization, highlighting the need for studying behavior and sensory scenes in natural environments.
Could seismology equipment help to protect elephants from poachers?
Researchers have found that seismology equipment can be used to detect and classify elephant behaviors, such as panic running, through ground vibrations. This technology has the potential to develop a new kind of alarm system to catch and deter poachers.
Strategic expression
A psychology professor's new paper suggests that facial expressions are used to achieve specific social outcomes, rather than revealing emotions. The study finds that certain expressions serve as 'social tools' in behavioral negotiation, and can be used to subdue or intimidate others.
Even flies like a familiar song
Fruit flies are attracted to unique wing pulse patterns, and exposure to these sounds during development teaches them to prefer their species' own pulse. The study found that female pC1 neurons play a crucial role in the courtship learning process.
Altering songbird brain provides insight into human behavior
Researchers use optogenetic methods to control songbird neurons, prompting birds to change specific syllables in their songs. The study provides insight into how the brain guides the learning of vocal behaviors in humans.
Who's a good boy? Why 'dog-speak' is important for bonding with your pet
Researchers found that adult dogs were more likely to interact with speakers using 'dog-speak' containing dog-related words, suggesting improved social bonding. The study used naturalistic interactions between humans and dogs to test the effectiveness of this communication style.
These tropical hummingbirds make cricket-like sounds other birds can't hear
Researchers have discovered that black jacobin hummingbirds produce vocalizations with an unusually high-frequency pitch, including components in the ultrasonic range. The findings suggest that these birds may rely on their unusual calls as a private channel of communication, given their diverse social environment.
Visualizing danger from songbird warning calls
A new study reveals that songbirds can 'see' reference to certain vocalizations, enabling them to perceive an inanimate object as a real snake. This cognitive ability allows birds to efficiently search out a predator regardless of its spatial position.
House mice may modulate their vocalizations depending on the sex of the receiver
Wild-derived house mice produce complex ultrasonic vocalizations during social and sexual interactions, exhibiting features similar to bird song. Researchers found that calling rates and frequencies were higher in both males and females when paired with the opposite sex than with the same sex.
Fish and ships: Vessel traffic reduces communication ranges for Atlantic cod, haddock
NOAA scientists found that vessel traffic noise is reducing the distance over which Atlantic cod and haddock can communicate with each other. This may alter their daily behavior, feeding, mating, and socializing during critical biological periods.
How bat brain tracks prey
Neural recordings of wild bats reveal a layered structure in the superior colliculus facilitating rapid tracking and capturing of prey through echolocation. The study contributes to understanding of SC function during naturalistic behaviors, finding both sensory and motor neurons throughout the midbrain region.
Horses can read our body language even when they don't know us
A study published in Animal Cognition found that horses prefer to approach humans with submissive body postures over dominant ones. This preference is thought to be an instinctual understanding of larger vs. smaller postures, as seen in evolutionary communication.
How songbirds learn a new song
Researchers found that songbirds break down the complex task of learning a new song into manageable parts, using a strategy similar to computer algorithms. This approach allows them to adapt their songs with minimal effort and expand their repertoire.
How to store information in your clothes invisibly, without electronics
Researchers at the University of Washington developed a new type of smart fabric that can store digital data without electronic components. The fabric uses off-the-shelf conductive thread with magnetic properties to encode and decode data, enabling secure passcode storage and smartphone-controlled interactions.
Young bats learn bat 'dialects' from their nestmates
A new study shows that young bats adopt a specific 'dialect' spoken by their colonies, even when it differs from their mother tongue. Researchers used playback recordings to expose pups to different vocalizations and found they developed a dialect resembling the one they were exposed to.
Young bats learn bat 'dialects' from their nestmates
Researchers found that young bats pick up specific vocalizations from their colony members, developing a unique dialect. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary origins of language skills and raises questions about how bats adapt to new colonies.
Birds without own brood help other birds with parenting, but not selflessly
A recent study by Sjouke Kingma found that birds help other birds of the same species care for their offspring in exchange for future benefits, such as inheriting territory or creating an army of little helpers. This behavior challenges the traditional view that all creatures are selfish and maximizing their own reproductive success.
Tiny poisonous Brazilian frogs are 'deaf' to their own call
Researchers found that two species of pumpkin toadlets produce sounds outside their hearing range due to an undeveloped inner ear, indicating they are insensitive to the sound of their own calls. This finding suggests that these frogs may be evolving towards a loss of acoustic communication.
Tiny Brazilian frogs are deaf to their own calls
Two species of pumpkin toadlets have been found to be deaf to their own calls, a phenomenon that persists even after the target audience has lost the ability to detect it. This is due to the vestigial high-frequency hearing part in their ears, which may have been replaced by visual communication.
UNIST to track the spread of deadly avian influenza
The University of Science and Technology (UNIST) has developed a self-powered tracking device capable of monitoring wild bird migration routes. The device will be used to predict bird flu outbreaks by compiling vast amounts of data into risk maps using data visualization techniques.
A-MUD: A method for automatically detecting mouse song
Researchers developed an automatic detection method called A-MUD to analyze ultrasonic vocalizations in mice. The tool was compared to manual methods and commercial solutions, showing equal quality and lower error rates.