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Cited by 78Animal Vocal Communication and BehaviorPrimate Behavior and EcologyMarine animal studies overview

Specific 50-kHz vocalizations are tightly linked to particular types of behavior in juvenile rats anticipating play

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Burke, Candace J., Kisko, Theresa M., Swiftwolfe, Hilarie, Pellis, Sergio M., Euston, David R.·2017·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0175841PMC PMC5414981
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Abstract

Rat ultrasonic vocalizations have been suggested to be either a byproduct of physical movement or, in the case of 50-kHz calls, a means to communicate positive affect. Yet there are up to 14 distinct types of 50-kHz calls, raising issues for both explanations. To discriminate between these theories and address the purpose for the numerous 50-kHz call types, we studied single juvenile rats that were waiting to play with a partner, a situation associated with a high number of 50-kHz calls. We used a Monte-Carlo shuffling procedure to identify vocalization-behavior correlations that were statistically different from chance. We found that certain call types ("split", "composite" and "multi-step") were strongly associated with running and jumping while other call types (those involving "trills") were more common during slower movements. Further, non-locomotor states such as resting and rearing were strongly predictive of a lack of vocalizations. We also found that the various sub-types of USVs can be clustered into 3-4 categories based on similarities in the way they are used. We did not find a one-to-one relationship between any movements and specific vocalizations, casting doubt on the motion byproduct theory. On the other hand, the use of specific calls during specific behaviors is problematic for the affect communication hypothesis. Based on our results, we suggest that ultrasonic calls may serve to coordinate moment-to-moment social interactions.

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  • Rats generally do not emit USVs when rearing.

    “A comparison of USV data between groups with apparent differences in upright standing is complicated in that rats generally do not emit USVs when rearing.14”

    From Ultrasonic Vocalization Analysis as a Novel Metric to Assess Cage Enrichment in Rats (2022) · cites this paper as [14]

    The Results ('Specific correspondences between vocalizations and behaviors'; page not supplied) associate rearing with a marked reduction in the probability of calls, supporting the gist of the claim. But the study examined 50-kHz calls in juvenile rats anticipating play; it does not establish that rats generally do not emit USVs while rearing. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Exploration of distinct ultrasonic vocalizations has revealed a linkage between certain call types and behaviors.

    “Exploration of distinct USVs has revealed a linkage between certain call types and behaviors.14”

    From Ultrasonic Vocalization Analysis as a Novel Metric to Assess Cage Enrichment in Rats (2022) · cites this paper as [14]

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Burke, C. J., Kisko, T. M., Swiftwolfe, H., Pellis, S. M., & Euston, D. R.
Affiliations
  • University of Lethbridge (CA)
  • Philipps University of Marburg (DE)
Corresponding author
Euston, David R.
ORCID
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2017-05-03
Volume
12
Issue
5
Pages
e0175841
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0175841
PMC
PMC5414981
OpenAlex
W2611786193
Cited by
78
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 1
FWCI
6.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (40058, 372305)
  • Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Developmental Biology › Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Primate Behavior and Ecology
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Marine animal studies overview
Keywords
ultrasonic vocalizations, 50-kHz calls, young rats, anticipatory behavior, play behavior, locomotion
MeSH terms
Animals, Behavior, Animal, Male, Social Behavior, Vocalization, Animal, Rats, Long-Evans, Rats

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