During social interactions, Mongolian gerbils Meriones unguiculatus emit sexually dimorphic, ultrasonic vocalisations. The calls can be broadly classified into physical structures of three types: frequency upsweep, modulated and unmodulated vocalisations. In the present laboratory study characterising ultrasound production in prepubertal gerbils of different ages, we found that: a) a wider range of structural types of sound are made by juvenile groups than adults: b) juvenile females show greater range and rate of emission than males; and c) androgen treatment of neonatal females defeminizes the range and rate of calling. We suggest that during male development androgen influences the speed of maturation of the vocal system.
Sexual differentiation of ultrasonic vocalizations of Mongolian Gerbils [abstract]
(1989).
Sexual differentiation of ultrasonic vocalizations of Mongolian Gerbils [abstract]. Bioacoustics,
Volume 2
(2):
168
Abstract: