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Seismic signal transmission between burrows of the Cape mole-rat, Georychus capensis

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Summary

Both seismic and auditory signals were tested for their propagation characteristics in a field study of the Cape mole-rat (Georychus capensis), a subterranean rodent in the family Bathyergidae. This solitary animal is entirely fossorial and apparently communicates with its conspecifics by alternately drumming its hind legs on the burrow floor. Signal production in this species is sexually dimorphic, and mate attraction is likely mediated primarily by seismic signalling between individuals in neighboring burrows. Measurements within, and at various distances away from, natural burrows suggest that seismic signals propagate at least an order of magnitude better than auditory signals. Moreover, using a mechanical thumper which could be triggered from a tape recording of the mole-rat's seismic signals, we established that the vertically-polarized surface wave (Rayleigh wave) propagates with less attenuation than either of the two horizontally-polarized waves. Thus, we tentatively hypothesize that Rayleigh waves subserve intraspecific communication in this species.

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Abbreviations

PPM :

pulses per min

SB :

simulated burrow

SD :

standard deviation

SPL :

sound pressure level

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of California, 90024, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Peter M. Narins

  2. Division of Biology, Kansas State University, 66506, Manhattan, KS, USA

    O. J. Reichman

  3. Zoology Department, University of Cape Town, 7700, Rondebosch, South Africa

    Jennifer U. M. Jarvis

  4. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, 94720, Berkeley, CA, USA

    Edwin R. Lewis

Authors
  1. Peter M. Narins
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  2. O. J. Reichman
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  3. Jennifer U. M. Jarvis
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  4. Edwin R. Lewis
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Narins, P.M., Reichman, O.J., Jarvis, J.U.M. et al. Seismic signal transmission between burrows of the Cape mole-rat, Georychus capensis . J Comp Physiol A 170, 13–21 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00190397

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00190397

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