Acoustic divergence in the rut vocalizations of Persian and European fallow deer
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Acoustic divergence in the rut vocalizations of Persian and European fallow deer. / Stachowicz, J. B.; Vannoni, E.; Pitcher, B. J.; Briefer, E. F.; Geffen, E.; Mcelligott, A. G.
In: Journal of Zoology, Vol. 292, No. 1, 2014, p. 1-9.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Acoustic divergence in the rut vocalizations of Persian and European fallow deer
AU - Stachowicz, J. B.
AU - Vannoni, E.
AU - Pitcher, B. J.
AU - Briefer, E. F.
AU - Geffen, E.
AU - Mcelligott, A. G.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - We conducted a study of the male rut vocalizations (groans) of two closely related species, Persian and European fallow deer. Persian fallow deer are endangered, restricted to Iran and Israel, and their rut vocalizations have never been studied. By contrast, European fallow deer are one of the most common deer species in the world, and have been the subject of numerous detailed studies. Persian bucks are approximately 16% larger than European bucks, and this can have important implications for vocalizations. Persian bucks were recorded in Israel, and European bucks were recorded in the UK and Ireland. We measured temporal, fundamental frequency-related and formant-related parameters of groans and determined which acoustic parameters differed among species and populations. The comparisons revealed important structural similarities and differences, with the differences more strongly related to temporal than spectral vocal parameters. Persian buck groans were relatively long, pulsed calls of almost 1-s duration, with low fundamental frequencies, and relatively weak formant modulation. European buck groans were much shorter (0.38s), but with similarly low fundamental frequencies and clearer formant modulation. We found some minor differences in the formant frequencies (F4 and F5) of calls of the two European fallow populations. Given the length of time since Persian and European fallow deer diverged, and that both their mitochondrial and nuclear genomes are very different, it is notable that the structure of their groans is still so similar. Our findings suggest that the factors influencing the evolution of these vocalizations (e.g. sensory system characteristics, environment and mate choice) have probably been similar for both species.
AB - We conducted a study of the male rut vocalizations (groans) of two closely related species, Persian and European fallow deer. Persian fallow deer are endangered, restricted to Iran and Israel, and their rut vocalizations have never been studied. By contrast, European fallow deer are one of the most common deer species in the world, and have been the subject of numerous detailed studies. Persian bucks are approximately 16% larger than European bucks, and this can have important implications for vocalizations. Persian bucks were recorded in Israel, and European bucks were recorded in the UK and Ireland. We measured temporal, fundamental frequency-related and formant-related parameters of groans and determined which acoustic parameters differed among species and populations. The comparisons revealed important structural similarities and differences, with the differences more strongly related to temporal than spectral vocal parameters. Persian buck groans were relatively long, pulsed calls of almost 1-s duration, with low fundamental frequencies, and relatively weak formant modulation. European buck groans were much shorter (0.38s), but with similarly low fundamental frequencies and clearer formant modulation. We found some minor differences in the formant frequencies (F4 and F5) of calls of the two European fallow populations. Given the length of time since Persian and European fallow deer diverged, and that both their mitochondrial and nuclear genomes are very different, it is notable that the structure of their groans is still so similar. Our findings suggest that the factors influencing the evolution of these vocalizations (e.g. sensory system characteristics, environment and mate choice) have probably been similar for both species.
KW - Dama dama
KW - Dama mesopotamica
KW - Formant frequency
KW - Fundamental frequency
KW - Phylogeny
KW - Sexual selection
KW - Source-filter theory
KW - Vocal communication
U2 - 10.1111/jzo.12083
DO - 10.1111/jzo.12083
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:84890792461
VL - 292
SP - 1
EP - 9
JO - Journal of Zoology
JF - Journal of Zoology
SN - 0952-8369
IS - 1
ER -
ID: 356630985