Seismic communication in demon African mole rat Tachyoryctes daemon from Tanzania

0397154 - GFÚ 2014 RIV JP eng J - Journal Article
Hrouzková, E. - Dvořáková, V. - Jedlička, Petr - Šumbera, R.
Seismic communication in demon African mole rat Tachyoryctes daemon from Tanzania.
Journal of Ethology. Roč. 31, č. 3 (2013), s. 255-259. ISSN 0289-0771. E-ISSN 1439-5444
Institutional support: RVO:67985530
Keywords : seismic communication * substrate-borne vibration * subterranean mammal
Subject RIV: DC - Siesmology, Volcanology, Earth Structure
Impact factor: 0.790, year: 2013

We describe the production of substrate-borne vibrations in a subterranean mole rat of the genus Tachyoryctes for the first time. These signals with a supposed communication function were recorded using two approaches. Firstly, we recorded the production of spontaneous substrate-borne vibrations of individual test animals in artificial tunnels simulating a mole rat burrow system. Secondly, we recorded substrate-borne vibrations in individuals with interconnected home systems divided by a barrier. We found that Tachyoryctes produces these seismic signals by striking its head against the ceiling of the tunnel. Two types of seismic signals differing in physical parameters were identified.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0224810