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Who is calling: proof of concept for the use of laser Doppler vibrometry in identifying individual callers within African elephant vocalization bouts

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Abstract

We propose a novel use of laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) for elephant field bioacoustics and behavioral ecology, allowing investigators to determine who initiates and responds within a vocalization bout. LDV has been used in a variety of applications including engineering, biomedical research, and animal communication. We present LDV data collected from one captive African elephant in a group of three elephants within an open field during vocal exchanges. While rumble vocalizations were emitted within the group, we were able to identify the caller, as well as record the call structure parameters of that specific individual’s vocalization. The rumble vocalization had a duration of 5 s, with a fundamental frequency between 17 and 20 Hz and two harmonics at approximately 40 and 60 Hz. This LDV technique could be used to identify and record individual callers within a group where it is difficult to identify the caller, and where it is not feasible to use voice-activated collars. Specifically, LDV technology would make it possible to unobtrusively record an entire “let’s go” rumble sequence while being able to identify the ordering of callers within the sequence. LDV technology may also facilitate vocal communication studies in species where identifying the caller within a group is challenging. Finally, LDV technology could inform studies focused on the physics of signal propagation of coordinated signals within group-living animals.

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Data availability

This manuscript has associated data. [Authors’ comment: The data collected and analyzed for this study are available in the Utopia Scientific Lab GitHub repository, https://github.com/Utopia-Sci-Lab/Proof-of-Concept-LDV-Elephant-Vocalization-Bouts.]

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Acknowledgements

We thank the PAWS staff for assisting in this study, along with The Elephant Sanctuary for an ongoing grant, and private donors to Utopia Scientific. We would also like to thank Polytec GmbH for loaning the LDV equipment for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Conservation Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Caitlin E. O’Connell-Rodwell

  2. Center for the Environment, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    Caitlin E. O’Connell-Rodwell

  3. Utopia Scientific, P.O. Box 221100, San Diego, CA, 92192, USA

    Caitlin E. O’Connell-Rodwell & Jodie L. Berezin

  4. Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, MA, 01063, USA

    Jodie L. Berezin

  5. Polytec, 16400 Bake Parkway, Irvine, CA, 92618, USA

    Kilian Shambaugh

  6. Performing Animal Welfare Society, P.O. Box 849, Galt, CA, 95632, USA

    Ed Stewart

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Contributions

The author CEO-R conceptualized the study and acquired funding. The authors CEO-R, KS, and ES contributed to the methodology of the study and data collection. The author KS conducted the data analysis, curation, and visualization, as well as providing and maintaining the equipment. The authors CEO-R, JLB, and KS wrote the first draft of the manuscript. ES coordinated elephants, setup scenarios to inspire them to be vocal, collaborated on experimental design and implementation, and oversaw staff to make sure experimental parameters were met. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Caitlin E. O’Connell-Rodwell.

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The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

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Physics of Animal Navigation. Guest editor: Miguel A. F. Sanjuán.

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O’Connell-Rodwell, C.E., Berezin, J.L., Shambaugh, K. et al. Who is calling: proof of concept for the use of laser Doppler vibrometry in identifying individual callers within African elephant vocalization bouts. Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top. 232, 253–259 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-022-00704-5

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