Abstract
Surprisingly little is known about how mammal vocal signals are used to achieve behavioural synchrony in the lead up to copulation. The ability to signal short-term fluctuations in arousal levels and behavioural intention is likely to be particularly important for synchronizing mating behaviour in asocial species, which must overcome their natural avoidance and aggressive tendencies to mate. Here, we examined vocal behaviour during breeding encounters in captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) to gain a greater understanding of how close-range vocal signalling mediates reproduction in this asocial, and conservation-dependent species. Our results revealed that the occurrence of different giant panda vocalizations and acoustic variation within these calls is predictive of successful encounters leading to copulation, as opposed to unsuccessful encounters that do not. In addition, key differences were detected between vocalizations produced during and just prior to copulation. These findings illustrate that vocal exchanges are crucial for achieving behavioural synchrony and signalling intention to mate in giant pandas, and could also provide a valuable tool for breeding programmes, helping conservation managers to assess the likelihood of breeding introductions leading to copulation or potentially injurious failure.
Highlights
Several studies have confirmed that mammal vocal signals conveying some aspect of male quality are used to attract mates [1,2], far less is known about how mammal vocalizations are used to synchronize mating behaviour once& 2018 The Authors
The primary aim of the current study was to investigate whether call usage and acoustic variation 3 within giant panda vocal signals during breeding introductions is predictive of successful encounters leading to copulation, as opposed to unsuccessful encounters that do not
Our results demonstrate that the occurrence of specific giant panda vocal signals and acoustic variation within these calls during close-range intersexual interactions are predictive of successful copulation
Summary
Several studies have confirmed that mammal vocal signals conveying some aspect of male quality are used to attract mates [1,2], far less is known about how mammal vocalizations are used to synchronize mating behaviour once& 2018 The Authors. Acoustic cues to the 2 caller’s physical attributes (such as size, age, sex or hormonal state) are likely to be important (for a review see [3]); ‘dynamic’ acoustic variation within calls signalling short-term fluctuations in arousal levels and behavioural intention may assume critical importance for asocial species that need to overcome their natural avoidance and aggressive tendencies to mate. Crucial for male and female giant pandas to locate opposite-sexed individuals for mating purposes, and to overcome their natural avoidance and aggressive tendencies in order to negotiate the delicate courtship process leading to mating once close contact is established [6,7]. The function of honks is unknown, it is generally assumed that barks, growls and roars are aggressive calls that are produced during agonistic encounters, squeals are produced by subordinate individuals during or after a fight, and moans denote mild aggression or ambivalent motivation [10,11,12]
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