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Vocalisations of the degu Octodon degus, a social caviomorph rodent

C.V. Long (2007). Vocalisations of the degu Octodon degus, a social caviomorph rodent. Bioacoustics, Volume 16 (3): 223 -244

 

Abstract: 

Caviomorph species are well known for their social nature and variety of vocal sounds used in intra-species communication, making them ideal candidates for the study of vocalisations. Here, I provide a much needed categorisation for one such species, the Degu Octodon degus. By analysing 3535 vocal sounds, I demonstrate that there are 15 distinct categories for degu vocalisations, showing that degus have a wider and more complex vocal repertoire than was previously assumed. I find that the use of vocal sounds varies widely with season and behavioural context, consistent with interaction in a complex social hierarchy. I identify that certain categories are not used by pups and that others may be gender-specific. In addition, I find that vocalisations used by lactating females may have an alternative function to that previously assumed. By examining the frequency range of the vocalisations identified, I predict that the hearing range of the degu lies between 71 Hz to 21.7 kHz. Finally, I describe the structure, causation and likely function of each vocal type.

Keywords: 

Octodon degus, vocalisation, communication, caviomorph species, vocal behaviour

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