Characterization of vocalizations emitted in isolation by California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) pups throughout the postnatal period.
Rodent species, such as monogamous and biparental California mice, produce vocalizations as a means of communication. A temporal examination of vocalizations produced by California mice pups in isolation was performed. Pup recordings were performed for 3 min at ∼10.00 and 14.00 hrs on early postnatal days (PND) 2-4, 7, 21, and 28. Once initial recordings were finished, pups were returned to the home cage with parents and any siblings for 5 minutes to determine if active biparental responses resulted in an enhanced vocalization response when pups were isolated and retested. We also sought to determine whether potential reduction in vocalizations by older pups might be due to procedure-habituation procedure associated with less anxiety and/or possibly decreased need for parental care. Vocalizations were measured in weanling (30 days of age) "naïve" pups not previously isolated. Results show older pups took significantly longer to vocalize, indicated by increased latency before producing their initial syllable compared to earlier ages. With increasing age, pups demonstrated decreased syllable duration, reduced number and duration of phrases, and decreased number of syllables per phrase. No differences in pup vocalizations were observed before and after being placed back with parents, suggestive biparental potentiation may not exist in California mice pups. Comparison of the naïve to habituated weanling pups indicated the former group had more total calls but no other differences in vocalization parameters were detected between these 2 groups. Collectively, the findings suggest that as California mice pups mature and approach weaning they generally vocalize less in isolation. (PsycINFO Database Record
Bond Life Sciences Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri.
Sarah A
SA
Johnson
Bond Life Sciences Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri.
Michele S
MS
Painter
Bond Life Sciences Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri.
Angela B
AB
Javurek
Bond Life Sciences Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri.
Claire R
CR
Murphy
Bond Life Sciences Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri.
Emily C
EC
Howald
Bond Life Sciences Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri.
Zoya Z
ZZ
Khan
Bond Life Sciences Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri.
Caroline M
CM
Conard
Bond Life Sciences Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri.
Kristal L
KL
Gant
Agriculture Experimental Station-Statistics, University of Missouri.
Mark R
MR
Ellersieck
Department of Ecophysiology and Aquaculture, Leibniz- Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries.
Frauke
F
Hoffmann
Department of Physics, Randolph College.
A Katrin
AK
Schenk
University of Missouri Columbia.
Cheryl S
CS
Rosenfeld
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002140:California; D051379:Mice; D010542:Peromyscus; D012919:Social Behavior; D014828:Vocalization, Animal