Abstract
The Chapter is focused on evolutionary origin of vocal communication in rodents, and particularly ultrasonic vocalization in rats. Several hypotheses are discussed, including mother-infant interaction and expression of emotional/motivational states as mechanisms initiating vocal communication. Other hypotheses or contributing factors to evolution of vocal signalling are also presented, as predator pressure and habitat type, size and complexity of the social group, and security motivation system. Rats developed several ultrasonic calls that are explained and categorized into five types: short and long 22 kHz calls, flat 50 kHz calls and frequency-modulated 50 kHz calls with or without trills. It is concluded that mammalian vocalizations serve as ethological transmitter, termed ethotransmitter, that is produced by specialized organ (larynx), selectively recognized and decoded by the brain of conspecifics, and capable of changing emotional state and behavior of the receivers.
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