Distress vocalisations in wild dogs

Author(s)
Nolan, Huw
Brown, Wendy
Ballard, Guy
McDonald, Paul
Laegel, Telishia
Publication Date
2014
Abstract
Acoustic location and identification technologies have the potential to be valuable tools for ecologists and ethologists, enabling animals in remote environments to be located and identified (Huetz and Aubin 2012). Because the acoustic properties of the environment influence sound propagation, some mammals adjust the usage and/or structure of their vocal signals accordingly. We tested if wild dogs similarly adapted calls to suit their environment. We analysed spectral (such as frequency and amplitude) and temporal (such as call length) components of vocalisations recorded from trapped individuals. Dogs were trapped at three markedly different sites: New England, NSW, characterised by thick eucalyptus forests and gorges; the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, characterised by high levels of anthropogenic noise and low lying cane fields; and the desert of WA characterised by low spinifex vegetation and a sandy substrate. While data collection is ongoing, we have early indications that the structure of wild dog vocalisations differs across sites. Understanding the differences in vocalisations of wild dogs in varying environments is vital to the success of remote acoustic monitoring and improved wildlife management.
Citation
16th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference 2014 Program and Abstracts (Abstracts: 10B - Rabbit impacts and management), p. 122-122
Link
Language
en
Publisher
Biosecurity Queensland
Title
Distress vocalisations in wild dogs
Type of document
Conference Publication
Entity Type
Publication

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