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Tuco-tucos’ vocalization output varies seasonally (Ctenomys pearsoni; Rodentia, Ctenomyidae): implications for reproductive signaling

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Abstract

Tuco-tucos are subterranean rodents endemic of South America. Ctenomys pearsoni is a solitary species from southwestern Uruguay. Each individual occupies its own burrow and aggressively defends it, except for juveniles before dispersing and couples during reproduction. We tried to understand how these animals find a partner and how they know their reproductive state, avoiding to spend excess energy burrowing to locate those partners for reproduction and avoiding above-ground predation. We studied a C. pearsoni population in the field from June 2005 until March 2007, using individually identified animals, some fitted with radio-tracking collars. For their long-range vocalizations, we recorded the number of vocalizations, number of series (groups of notes composing the vocalization) emitted, time of day of the emission, and emitter identity. Samples were taken by listening to the emissions. Results show that the number of emissions changes along the year, being higher during the reproductive season. Males emit more frequently than females and do it throughout the year. Female vocalizations rise in number when reproduction starts and then decline in number through pregnancy and/or until juveniles disperse and also vary in length being longer during the beginning of the breeding period. These results suggest that female vocalization (i.e., repetition and duration) would inform about emitter’s location, sex, and reproductive condition.

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Acknowledgments

I wish to thank the Comisión Sectorial de Investigación Científica (Universidad de la República, Uruguay) for funding this research. Guillermo Macció and the workers at “El Relincho” kindly provided logistic assistance and housing during the fieldwork. I am indebted to Graciela Izquierdo, Mónica Rumbo, Noelia Zambra, Erika Görke, Yennifer Hernández, Noelia Kandratavicius, Martín Petrella, Micaela Trimble, Lorena Coelho, Mariana Cosse, and Natalia Mannise for fieldwork assistance and friendship. I am also indebted to two anonymous reviewers for manuscript improvement.

Ethical note

All procedures used in capturing and marking the animals and also those used to attach the radio-tracking collars complied with Uruguay laws and regulations about wildlife. They were also studied by the Ethics Committee (C.H.E.A.) of the Universidad de la República when the project was presented for funding and approved as complying with the internal ethical regulations about animal handling and care used by the institution.

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  1. Sección Etología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Iguá 4225, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay

    Gabriel Francescoli

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  1. Gabriel Francescoli
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Correspondence to Gabriel Francescoli.

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Francescoli, G. Tuco-tucos’ vocalization output varies seasonally (Ctenomys pearsoni; Rodentia, Ctenomyidae): implications for reproductive signaling. acta ethol 14, 1–6 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-010-0083-4

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