Phase-Specific Vocalizations of Male Mice at the Initial Encounter during the Courtship Sequence.

ABSTRACT: Mice produce ultrasonic vocalizations featuring a variety of syllables. Vocalizations are observed during social interactions. In particular, males produce numerous syllables during courtship. Previous studies have shown that vocalizations change according to sexual behavior, suggesting that males vary their vocalizations depending on the phase of the courtship sequence. To examine this process, we recorded large sets of mouse vocalizations during male-female interactions and acoustically categorized these sounds into 12 vocal types. We found that males emitted predominantly short syllables during the first minute of interaction, more long syllables in the later phases, and mainly harmonic sounds during mounting. These context- and time-dependent changes in vocalization indicate that vocal

SUBMITTER: Matsumoto YK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4739514 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature