IVth International Conference on Dormice (Rodentia, Gliridae)13 - 16 September 1999 EDÝRNE - TURKEY |
„ULTRASOUND COMMUNICATION CALLS IN FOREST DORMOUSE (DRYOMYS NITEDULA)”
Boratynski, P.*, Rachwald, A.** & Nowakowski, W. K.***
* Institute of Ecology PAS, Konopnickiej 1, Dziekanów Lesny, 05-092 Poland, e-mail: boratynski@mailcity.com
** Forest Research Institute, Dept. of Ecology and Environment Protection, Warszawa, 00-973 Poland, e-mail: merlin@las.ibl.bialowieza.pl
*** Agricultural & Pedagogic Univ., Inst. of Biology, Prusa 12, Siedlce, 08-110 Poland, e-mail: sikorka@supermedia.pl
During studies on the activity of forest dormouse (D. nitedula), conducted on captive individuals, we observed the emission of repeated series of ultrasounds. These signals were uttered by individuals of both sexes in circumstances suggesting a social character of the communication. They were not accompanied by the emission of sounds within the range audible for humans (<16 kHz).
Studied individuals originated from a natural population and were caught in the Bialowieza Forest (eastern Poland). Observations were conducted in a vivarium situated in the open air. The cage was divided vertically into two compartments. Each of them was occupied by one forest dormouse. The investigation was started from two females, then two males and male and female were tested in the same conditions. The obtained results were compared with data on males and females recorded separately. We observed vocal activity of both sexes. Also single individuals uttered ultrasound signals. Range of all emitted sounds fell in 20 – 50 kHz bands.