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Sexual differentiation of ultrasonic vocalizations of Mongolian Gerbils [abstract]

Seale, W. T. C., & Holman, S. D. (1989). Sexual differentiation of ultrasonic vocalizations of Mongolian Gerbils [abstract]. Bioacoustics, Volume 2 (2): 168

 

Abstract: 

During social interactions, Mongolian gerbils Meriones unguiculatus emit sexually dimorphic, ultrasonic vocalisations. The calls can be broadly classified into physical structures of three types: frequency upsweep, modulated and unmodulated vocalisations. In the present laboratory study characterising ultrasound production in prepubertal gerbils of different ages, we found that: a) a wider range of structural types of sound are made by juvenile groups than adults: b) juvenile females show greater range and rate of emission than males; and c) androgen treatment of neonatal females defeminizes the range and rate of calling. We suggest that during male development androgen influences the speed of maturation of the vocal system.

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