Ultrasonic signaling in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): Social interaction and olfaction.

Abstract

Three experiments assessed the conditions for ultrasonic emission in the gerbil. In experiment 1 isolated animals rarely emitted ultrasounds, males emitted at a higher rate than females and emission rates ordinarily decreased with continual testing. Ultrasonic emissions were stimulated by olfactory cues from conspecifics. Dominant males emitted more ultrasounds than subordinate males and responded to cues from anesthetized, shaved or dead animals or from anesthetized animals in the dark. Body hair elicited ultrasounds from males unless organic materials were removed from the hair with chloroform. Hair was an effective stimulus at a distance only when an airstream blew the volatiles over the recipient.