Acoustic fine structure may encode biologically relevant information for zebra finches

The ability to discriminate changes in the fine structure of complex sounds is well developed in birds. However, the precise limit of this discrimination ability and how it is used in the context of natural communication remains unclear. Here we describe natural variability in acoustic fine structur...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2018-04, Vol.8 (1), p.6212-12, Article 6212
Main Authors: Prior, Nora H., Smith, Edward, Lawson, Shelby, Ball, Gregory F., Dooling, Robert J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
631/158/856
631/601/18
Acoustics
Animal communication
Bioacoustics
Calling behavior
Data processing
Humanities and Social Sciences
multidisciplinary
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Taeniopygia guttata
Ultrastructure
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Summary:The ability to discriminate changes in the fine structure of complex sounds is well developed in birds. However, the precise limit of this discrimination ability and how it is used in the context of natural communication remains unclear. Here we describe natural variability in acoustic fine structure of male and female zebra finch calls. Results from psychoacoustic experiments demonstrate that zebra finches are able to discriminate extremely small differences in fine structure, which are on the order of the variation in acoustic fine structure that is present in their vocal signals. Results from signal analysis methods also suggest that acoustic fine structure may carry information that distinguishes between biologically relevant categories including sex, call type and individual identity. Combined, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that zebra finches can encode biologically relevant information within the fine structure of their calls. This study provides a foundation for our understanding of how acoustic fine structure may be involved in animal communication.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-24307-0