title: The properties of geophysical fields and their effects on elephants and other animals.
abstract: Geophysical properties of acoustic, seismic, electric, and magnetic waveforms create opportunities and constraints for animals' communication and sensory monitoring of the environment. The geometric spreading of waves differs; at some frequencies, transmission is most efficient and has minimal noise. The spreading properties of seismic waves favor long-distance propagation for communication and environmental monitoring, and would benefit elephants (Elephas maximus and Loxodonta africana), such as in locating subsurface water. Extending C. E. O'Connell-Rodwell, B. T. Amason, and L. A. Hart (2000), a man jumping at 1.11 km propagated seismic waves at 10-40 Hz. Given the noise of lightning and the Schumann resonances, near field magnetic and electric transmission by animals would be most efficient around 1000 Hz.
authors.affiliation: Tezar Inc., Austin, Texas, USA. byronta@juno.com
authors.forename: Byron T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Arnason
authors.forename: Lynette A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Caitlin E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: O'Connell-Rodwell
mesh_terms: D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D001307:Auditory Perception; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004606:Elephants / Q000523:psychology*; D004777:Environment; D005399:Fishes; D011571:Psychoacoustics; D013018:Sound Spectrography; D013045:Species Specificity; D014828:Vocalization, Animal