Aggressive Sounds Research Articles

‘An Indigenous Fucking Blood Revival’: Pagan Aesthetics in The US Indigenous Black Metal Scene

This article analyzes two different modulations of Indigenous Black Metal in the contemporary US context, specifically focusing on how Indigenous Black Metal appropriates (but also distances itself from) European conceptualizations of this Metal subgenre. In this process, it adapts its lyrics to decolonial discourses. The text argues that Pagan Black Metal, although a musical product inherently connected to European understandings of pre-Christian spirituality, has found an autochthonous way in the American scenario through a sense an Indigenous-minded aesthetic vision of European paganism. After introducing the way in which senses of local land, ancestry and paganism are intertwined in the configuration of Pagan Black Metal lyrics, the article addresses two paradigmatic examples of the American Indian approach, Nechochwen and Pan-Amerikan Native Front. These two bands replicate the aggressive sounds and ontological logics of their European counterparts, erasing, nonetheless certain thematic aspects to adapt themselves to Pan-Indigenous dialectics.

Urban Noise Pollution Prevention — Tokyo Case Study

Abstract Nowadays most of the world’s metropolises, cities, and conglomerations are substantially contaminated by noise. Development of civilization based on the intensification of car, rail, and air traffic, an increase of building density and, consequently, green areas reduction has led to major problems. Highlighting this negative phenomenon was one of the main objectives of this article. The process of noise pollution reduction is hindered not only by the needs of population growth, but also in a number of selected cities of the United States, Europe or Asia — aggressive sounds together with light and visual communications — emitted into public space, become an important element of commercial activities and remain a permanent, and even desirable, element of community culture and entertainment. The outlined problems are referred to in the introduction and discussion parts of this manuscript. At the same time, there are a number of solutions, both those currently applied and those possible to be introduced into the space of cities, which allow reduction of noise in selected zones of public and private sectors. One of the examples in the discussed field of science and practice is Tokyo — a multi-million metropolis, in which residents can experience silence both in workplaces, on streets and at home, despite the extraordinary civilization development of this metropolitan structure. Outcome analysis of solutions, used in the example city, forms the second part of the discussion in the article. Nowadays, when cities of the world are polluted with unwanted sounds, this case study is valuable, allowing the formulation of a set of clear recommendations for noise limitation in urban spaces — which are presented in the conclusions of the article. It is also worth mentioning that the spread of smart and humanized solutions aimed at noise reduction is crucial in order to build user- and environment-friendly urban environments in the near future.

Cover Caption

Behavioral strategies and mechanisms by which some animals maintain monogamous mating systems are not well understood. Here, using the bark beetle Dendroctonus valens, we deciphered cues contributing in monogamy. Field and laboratory observations suggest the bark beetle commonly form permanent bonds. A second female was shown to perceive the resident's presence by physical contact and to form a separated gallery. During gallery constructing, females released acoustic signals and volatiles to attract males. When a male joined a female, the male emitted aggressive sounds and volatiles to deter other males. Thus, D. valens has evolved multifaceted mechanisms contributing to single pairings that confer benefits to both sexes (see pages 1285‐1297). Photo provided by Zhu‐Dong Liu.

Fighting and aggressive sound determines larger male to win male‐male competition in a bark beetle

Intrasexual selection occurs in male-male competition over access to females and usually results in the larger male winning. While much research has documented that size matters, little is known about how the larger male wins. Dendroctonus valens is an aggregating monogamous bark beetle in which males have large variation in body size and display intense competition over females. Behavioral observation showed two males fight each other within the gallery by pushing/shoving and stridulated more when two males encountered each other. Experiments using two different-sized males synchronously competing showed that larger males won 95% of contests. Reciprocal displacement experiments using muted and intact males of different or equal size were used to simulate male-male competition. Larger males displaced the smaller resident male in 90% of contests, while smaller males prevailed over larger residents in 6.7% of contests. With both males silenced, larger males displaced smaller males in 80% of contests, while smaller males prevailed in 8% of contests. Further experiments using equal-sized males showed aggressive sound-emitting males displaced muted males in 67% of contests, yet intact males displaced other intact males in only 37.5% of contests. Sound analysis showed sound pressure level is an honest signal of body size and males chose soft sounds over loud aggressive sounds in assays. Therefore, D. valens males have evolved dual behaviors, fighting and aggressive sounds associated with body size, to assess rivals to compete for a partner, gaining insights in male-male competition for this species and for other animals.

Physical contact, volatiles, and acoustic signals contribute to monogamy in an invasive aggregating bark beetle.

The behavioral strategies and mechanisms by which some insects maintain monogamous mating systems are not well understood. We investigated the mating system of the bark beetle Dendroctonus valens, and identified several contributing mechanisms. Field and laboratory observations suggest the adults commonly form permanent bonds during host colonization. Moreover, it showed mated females that remained paired with males produced more offspring than mated females that were alone in galleries. In bioassays, a second female commonly entered a gallery constructed by a prior female. Videos show she commonly reached the location of the first female, but they did not engage in actual fighting. Rather, the second female typically departs to form her own gallery. Acoustic signaling likewise does not appear to influence female-female encounters, based on controlled muting experiments. Instead, the intruder appears to perceive the resident's presence by physical contact. Both acoustic signals and volatiles released by females during gallery constructing were shown to attract males. After a male joined a female in a gallery, the male-produced aggressive sounds, which were shown by playback to deter other males from entering the gallery. Unlike female-female interactions, resident males use their head and rear to push intruders out of galleries. Additionally, volatiles released by males during feeding repelled intruding males, discouraging them from entering the gallery. Males also construct plugs that block the entrance, which may prevent subsequent males and predators from entering the gallery. Thus, D. valens has evolved multifaceted mechanisms contributing to single pairings that confer benefits to both sexes.

Sex-specific differences in agonistic behaviour, sound production and auditory sensitivity in the callichthyid armoured catfish Megalechis thoracata.

BackgroundData on sex-specific differences in sound production, acoustic behaviour and hearing abilities in fishes are rare. Representatives of numerous catfish families are known to produce sounds in agonistic contexts (intraspecific aggression and interspecific disturbance situations) using their pectoral fins. The present study investigates differences in agonistic behaviour, sound production and hearing abilities in males and females of a callichthyid catfish.Methodology/Principal FindingsEight males and nine females of the armoured catfish Megalechis thoracata were investigated. Agonistic behaviour displayed during male-male and female-female dyadic contests and sounds emitted were recorded, sound characteristics analysed and hearing thresholds measured using the auditory evoked potential (AEP) recording technique. Male pectoral spines were on average 1.7-fold longer than those of same-sized females. Visual and acoustic threat displays differed between sexes. Males produced low-frequency harmonic barks at longer distances and thumps at close distances, whereas females emitted broad-band pulsed crackles when close to each other. Female aggressive sounds were significantly shorter than those of males (167 ms versus 219 to 240 ms) and of higher dominant frequency (562 Hz versus 132 to 403 Hz). Sound duration and sound level were positively correlated with body and pectoral spine length, but dominant frequency was inversely correlated only to spine length. Both sexes showed a similar U-shaped hearing curve with lowest thresholds between 0.2 and 1 kHz and a drop in sensitivity above 1 kHz. The main energies of sounds were located at the most sensitive frequencies.Conclusions/SignificanceCurrent data demonstrate that both male and female M. thoracata produce aggressive sounds, but the behavioural contexts and sound characteristics differ between sexes. Sexes do not differ in hearing, but it remains to be clarified if this is a general pattern among fish. This is the first study to describe sex-specific differences in agonistic behaviour in fishes.

Hardcore, punk, and other junk: aggressive sounds in contemporary music

Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Food For Thought: On Sid Vicious's Cannibalization of My Way Evan Ware Chapter 2: Let the Shillelagh Fly: Dropkick Murphys and Irish-American Hybridity Sean Ahern Chapter 3: Am I Evil? Meaning of Metal Lyrics to its Fans Mika Elovaara Chapter 4: By Demons Be Driven? Scanning 'Monstrous' Voices Marcus Erbe Chapter 5: Heavy Metal Music in the Caribbean Setting: Politics and Language at the Periphery Nelson Varas-Diaz, Eliut Rivera-Segarra Chapter 6: No Fun: Noise Music, Avant-garde Aggression, and Sonic Punishment Ross Hagan Chapter 7: Last Report: Throbbing Gristle and Audio Extremes Brian Cogan Chapter 8: Black Metal Soul Music: Stone Vengeance and the Aesthetics of Race in Heavy Metal. Kevin Fellezs Chapter 9: The Time is Right to Set Our Sight on Salvation: Strange Tale of How the Hare Krishnas Came To Play Hardcore Punk Colin Helb Chapter 10: Cult of Hellmouth: Success of Contemporary Hardcore Eric James Abbey Afterword Bibliography Contributors Index

Overview on the Diversity of Sounds Produced by Clownfishes (Pomacentridae): Importance of Acoustic Signals in Their Peculiar Way of Life

BackgroundClownfishes (Pomacentridae) are brightly colored coral reef fishes well known for their mutualistic symbiosis with tropical sea anemones. These fishes live in social groups in which there is a size-based dominance hierarchy. In this structure where sex is socially controlled, agonistic interactions are numerous and serve to maintain size differences between individuals adjacent in rank. Clownfishes are also prolific callers whose sounds seem to play an important role in the social hierarchy. Here, we aim to review and to synthesize the diversity of sounds produced by clownfishes in order to emphasize the importance of acoustic signals in their way of life.Methodology/Principal FindingsRecording the different acoustic behaviors indicated that sounds are divided into two main categories: aggressive sounds produced in conjunction with threat postures (charge and chase), and submissive sounds always emitted when fish exhibited head shaking movements (i.e. a submissive posture). Both types of sounds showed size-related intraspecific variation in dominant frequency and pulse duration: smaller individuals produce higher frequency and shorter duration pulses than larger ones, and inversely. Consequently, these sonic features might be useful cues for individual recognition within the group. This observation is of significant importance due to the size-based hierarchy in clownfish group. On the other hand, no acoustic signal was associated with the different reproductive activities.Conclusions/SignificanceUnlike other pomacentrids, sounds are not produced for mate attraction in clownfishes but to reach and to defend the competition for breeding status, which explains why constraints are not important enough for promoting call diversification in this group.

Further insight into the sound-producing mechanism of clownfishes: what structure is involved in sound radiation?

It was recently demonstrated that clownfishes produce aggressive sounds by snapping their jaw teeth. To date, only the onset of the sound has been studied, which raises the question, what structure is involved in sound radiation? Here, a combination of different approaches has been used to determine the anatomical structure(s) responsible for the size-related variations observed in sound duration and frequency. Filling the swimbladder with physiological liquid specifically modified size-related acoustic features by inducing a significant decrease in pulse duration of approximately 3 ms and a significant increase in dominant frequency of approximately 105 Hz. However, testing the acoustics of the swimbladder by striking it with a piezoelectric impact hammer showed that this structure is a highly damped sound source prevented from prolonged vibrations. In contrast, the resonant properties of the rib cage seems to account for the size-related variations observed in acoustic features. For an equivalent strike on the rib cage, the duration and dominant frequency of induced sounds changed with fish size: sound duration and dominant frequency were positively and negatively correlated with fish size, respectively. Such relationships between sonic features and fish size are consistent with those observed in natural sounds emitted by fish. Therefore, the swimbladder itself does not act as a resonator; its wall just seems to be driven by the oscillations of the rib cage. This set of observations suggests the need for reassessment of the acoustic role of swimbladders in various fish species.

Interspecific variation of calls in clownfishes: degree of similarity in closely related species.

BackgroundClownfishes are colorful coral reef fishes living in groups in association with sea anemones throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Within their small societies, size hierarchy determines which fish have access to reproduction. These fishes are also prolific callers whose aggressive sounds seem to play an important role in the social hierarchy. Agonistic interactions being involved in daily behaviour suggest how acoustic communication might play an important role in clownfish group. Sounds were recorded and compared in fourteen clownfish species (some of which have never been recorded before) to evaluate the potential role of acoustic communication as an evolutionary driving force.ResultsSurprisingly, the relationship between fish size and both dominant frequency and pulse duration is not only species-specific; all the specimens of the 14 species are situated on exactly the same slope, which means the size of any Amphiprion can be predicted by both acoustic features. The number of pulses broadly overlaps among species, whereas the pulse period displays the most variation even if it shows overlap among sympatric species. Sound comparisons between three species (A. akallopisos, A. ocellaris and A. frenatus) having different types of teeth and body shape do not show differences neither in the acoustic waveform nor in the power spectrum.ConclusionSignificant overlap in acoustic features demonstrates that the sound-producing mechanism is highly conservative among species. Differences in the calls of some species are due to size dimorphism and the sound variation might be in this case a by-product. This morphological constraint does not permit a consideration of acoustic communication as the main driving force in the diversification of clownfishes. Moreover, calls are not produced to find mate and consequently are less subject to variations due to partner preference, which restricts the constraints of diversification. Calls are produced to reach and defend the competition to mate access. However, differences in the pulse period between cohabiting species show that, in some case, sounds can help to differentiate the species, to prevent competition between cohabiting species and to promote the diversification of taxa.

The behaviour and the acoustic reactions of the Eurasian Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris macrodactyla C.L. BREHM, 1831) and the Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia b. brachydactyla C. L. BREHM, 1820) with syntope occurrence in the area of the "Mittelelbe" near Wittenberg/Sachsen-Anhalt

From 1999 until 2006 large-scale investigations were conducted on the occurrence and distribution of the Eurasian Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris macrodactyla C. L. BREHM , 1831) and the Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia b. brachydactyla C. L. BREHM , 1820) in the area of the “Mittelelbe” (former district Wittenberg, 51.50° N, 12.50° E), from the southern rim of the “Roßlau-Wittenberger Vorfläming” to the northern rim of the “Dübener Heide”, including the River Elbe valley (topographic maps 4041, 4042, 4141, 4142, 4241, 4242 and 4342). The occurrence of the species was tested by playback experiments at 781 checkpoints on 1231 days distributed over all months. A total of 2838 excursions led to 1737 records of territorial Eurasian Treecreepers and to 2372 records of territorial Short-toed Treecreepers. In 1257 cases a syntope occurrence of Eurasian and Short-toed Treecreepers was detected on 591 checkpoints. A total of 905 Eurasian and 1593 Short-toed Treecreepers were mist-netted, measured and ringed with rings of the Hiddensee bird ringing centre. 94 Eurasian and 148 Short-toed Treecreepers were re-captured once or several times at the ringing site (details in SCHÖNFELD 2007). The behaviour and the acoustic reactions of the test birds on the playback experiments were documented at each checkpoint. A total of 3036 recordings of different utterance types, songs, call series and aggressive sounds (except single calls) were taken. Analyses of acoustics and behaviour were carried out separately for checkpoints with only one species present and for those with both species, respectively. Whereas the two species responded to playback experiments with song display in late winter and spring, they mainly displayed call series from the beginning of July. Single or series of aggressive calls as well as vocalisations to be interpreted as excitement or resentment calls were recorded in the Short-toed Treecreeper year-round. At 279 checkpoints habituation and its time-dependence on the preceding capture, aversion to repeated playbacks and dominance behaviour of adult and first-year birds was investigated in the two species on 413 excursions. The behaviour and affiliation to either of the Treecreeper species was studied in a certain number of mixed singers. The results are shown in 7 tables and 4 figures and discussed in comparison to other investigations

Ontogeny of Acoustic and Feeding Behaviour in the Grey Gurnard, Eutrigla gurnardus

AbstractAlthough sound production in teleost fish is often associated with territorial behaviour, little is known of fish acoustic behaviour in other agonistic contexts such as competitive feeding and how it changes during ontogeny. The grey gurnard, Eutrigla gurnardus, frequently emits knock and grunt sounds during competitive feeding and seems to adopt both contest and scramble tactics under defensible resource conditions. Here we examine, for the first time, the effect of fish size on sound production and agonistic behaviour during competitive feeding. We have made sound (alone) and video (synchronized image and sound) recordings of grey gurnards during competitive feeding interactions. Experimental fish ranged from small juveniles to large adults and were grouped in four size classes: 10–15, 15–20, 25–30 and 30–40 cm in total length. We show that, in this species, both sound production and feeding behaviour change with fish size. Sound production rate decreased in larger fish. Sound duration, pulse duration and the number of pulses increased whereas the peak frequency decreased with fish size, in both sound types (knocks and grunts). Interaction rate and the frequency of agonistic behaviour decreased with increasing fish size during competitive feeding sessions. The proportion of feeding interactions accompanied by sound production was similar in all size classes. However, the proportion of interactions accompanied by knocks (less aggressive sounds) and by grunts (more aggressive) increased and decreased with fish size, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that smaller grey gurnards compete for food by contest tactics whereas larger specimens predominantly scramble for food, probably because body size gives an advantage in locating, capturing and handling prey. We further suggest that sounds emitted during feeding may potentially give information on the motivation and ability of the individual to compete for food resources.

Acoustic behavior of the damselfish Dascyllus albisella: behavioral and geographic variation

Behavioral and geographic variation in animal communication has been well-studied in insects, frogs, birds, and mammals, but little is known about variation in fishes. We used underwater audio-video recordings of the behavior and associated sounds produced by the domino damselfish, Dascyllus albisella, at Johnston Atoll and Hawaii, which are separated by 1000 km, to study behavioral and geographic variation in communication sounds. Males produced pulsed sounds during the courtship behavior known as the signal jump, visiting by females (during pseudospawning), mating, aggression to heterospecifics and conspecifics, and nest preparation. Females made only aggressive sounds. The following features of the sounds were measured: number of pulses, pulse rate, pulse duration, inter-pulse interval, dominant frequency, and frequency envelope. The only difference between visiting and mating sounds was a small difference in pulse duration. Two types of aggressive sounds were produced, pops and chirps. Pops contained only one or two pulses and were more commonly made towards heterospecifics than conspecifics. Aggressive chirps had between 3–11 pulses and were made most often towards conspecifics. The pulse rate of aggressive chirps was faster than signal jump sounds. The only difference in signal jump sounds made by males from Johnston Atoll and Hawaii, was a small difference in pulse duration, which was likely due to differences in the depths of the recording environment and not in the sounds produced.

ANALYSIS OF SOUNDS PRODUCED BY MALEPADOGOBIUS MARTENSI(PISCES, GOBIIDAE) AND FACTORS AFFECTING THEIR STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES

ABSTRACT In this paper a detailed analysis of the physical structure of sounds produced by male Padogobius martensi is reported. Sound production occurs during courtship and inter-male agonistic encounters. Both aggressive and courtship calls are made up of rapidly repeated pulses, with a pulse repetition rate decreasing through the course of the emission. By means of computerized analysis, the pulse repetition rate, its modulation and sound duration were determined. The water temperature was found to exert a marked and significant effect on the above parameters. In particular, the temperature directly affects the pulse rate and its decrease through the course of the emission (i.e. frequency modulation) and inversely affects sound duration. By contrast, size of the calling animal does not significantly influence the sound parameters considered. Aggressive sounds last longer and have a lower pulse repetition rate than the courtship sounds. Moreover, aggressive sounds appear more variable than the courtship ones as far as pulse rate and duration are concerned.

Mammal Sounds and Motivation-Structural Rules: A Test of the Hypothesis

We tested if mammal sounds given in aggressive and fearful/friendly contexts showed acoustic design characteristics in accordance with the Motivation-Structural (MS) rule hypothesis (Morton, 1977). Our data were taken from literature and consist of 76 aggressive sounds and 75 fearful/friendly sounds from 50 species of mammals. Aggressive sounds are of low-frequency and wide bandwidth and thus support MS rule predictions. Fearful/friendly sounds show a trend toward conforming to MS rule design expectations (high-frequency and tonal) but exhibit considerable variation. This variation may be due to the existence of acoustic parameters other than frequency or bandwidth that might convey motivation information in fearful/friendly contexts. In addition, fear and friendliness represent two very different motivation states in mammals and MS rules may not apply to both.

Natural and Synthesized Aggressive Sounds as Polar Bear Repellents

Natural and Synthesized Aggressive Sounds as Polar Bear Repellents

An Analysis of the Phonoresponse of Males of the True Katydid, Pterophylla Camellifolia (Fabricius) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

An Analysis of the Phonoresponse of Males of the True Katydid, Pterophylla Camellifolia (Fabricius) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)