Abstract
Biphonation, i.e. two independent fundamental frequencies in a call spectrum, is a prominent feature of vocal activity in dog-like canids. Dog-like canids can produce a low (f0) and a high (g0) fundamental frequency simultaneously. In contrast, fox-like canids are only capable of producing the low fundamental frequency (f0). Using a comparative anatomical approach for revealing macroscopic structures potentially responsible for canid biphonation, we investigated the vocal anatomy for 4 (1 male, 3 female) captive dholes (Cuon alpinus) and for 2 (1 male, 1 female) wild red fox (Vulpes vulpes). In addition, we analyzed the acoustic structure of vocalizations in the same dholes that served postmortem as specimens for the anatomical investigation. All study dholes produced both high-frequency and biphonic calls. The anatomical reconstructions revealed that the vocal morphologies of the dhole are very similar to those of the red fox. These results suggest that the high-frequency and biphonic calls in dog-like canids can be produced without specific anatomical adaptations of the sound-producing structures. We discuss possible production modes for the high-frequency and biphonic calls involving laryngeal and nasal structures.
Highlights
Biphonic vocalizations with two independent fundamental frequencies in call spectra are common among dog-like canids: African wild dogs Lycaon pictus [1,2], Asiatic wild dogs or dholes Cuon alpinus [3,4], timber wolves Canis lupus [5,6,7], domestic dogs C. lupus f. familiaris [8,9], dingos C. lupus dingo [10] and red wolves C. rufus [11]
This study investigates the vocal anatomy of the dhole including the head-and-neck region (Fig 2), focusing on structures potentially capable of producing the high fundamental frequency (g0)
The oral vt began with the laryngeal vestibulum and the oropharynx and proceeded through the fauces to the oral cavity between the soft and hard palate dorsally and the tongue surface ventrally
Summary
Biphonic vocalizations with two independent (high and low) fundamental frequencies in call spectra are common among dog-like canids: African wild dogs Lycaon pictus [1,2], Asiatic wild dogs or dholes Cuon alpinus [3,4], timber wolves Canis lupus [5,6,7], domestic dogs C. lupus f. familiaris [8,9], dingos C. lupus dingo [10] and red wolves C. rufus [11]. Biphonic vocalizations with two independent (high and low) fundamental frequencies in call spectra are common among dog-like canids: African wild dogs Lycaon pictus [1,2], Asiatic wild dogs or dholes Cuon alpinus [3,4], timber wolves Canis lupus [5,6,7], domestic dogs C. lupus f. Biphonic calls are lacking in fox-like canids: red fox Vulpes vulpes [12,13,14], swift fox V. velox [15,16] and Arctic fox V. lagopus [17,18,19]. The range of the low fundamental frequency (f0) is 0.4–1.4 kHz and the range of the high fundamental frequency (g0) is 3.1–11 kHz [9] (Fig 1A). The PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0146330 January 5, 2016
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
