Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience

Dr. Matthew Mason: Further Information...

University Physiologist Tel: +44 (0)1223 333829, Fax: +44 (0)1223 333840, E-mail: mjm68@cam.ac.uk

Zaytseva, A.S., Volodin, I.A, Mason, M.J., Frey, R., Fritsch, G., Ilchenko, O.G. & Volodina, E.V. (2015) Vocal development during postnatal growth and ear morphology in a shrew that generates seismic vibrations, Diplomesodon pulchellum. Behavioural Processes 118: 130-141.

The desert-living piebald shrew, Diplomesodon, is very unusual in that it vibrates its body, much like a mobile 'phone in vibratory mode, during behaviours such as exploring a new environment. It is believed this this may generate low-frequency, substrate-borne (seismic) vibrations, which could be used for communication or potentially "seismic echolocation" in its sandy habitat. In this paper, the Russian team which first described this bizarre behaviour have explored the development of the range of vocalizations that this shrew also makes, and the context in which they are made. But if the shrew also makes use of seismic communication, are its ears modified so as to augment bone-conducted hearing, like the ears of some moles? My contribution to this paper was to use micro-CT to examine the middle and inner ear structures in Diplomesodon, comparing these to the structures in European shrews which do not produce self-generated body vibrations. Perhaps surprisingly, the ear structures of Diplomesodon proved not to be modified in any obvious way - they are very similar indeed to the equivalent structures in its relatives, Sorex and especially Crocidura, which are high-frequency specialists. The desert shrew can presumably detect its own vibratory signals, but maybe it does this via its somatosensory rather than its auditory system.

Please click here to access this article via the Elsevier website.

Please contact me if you would like to be sent a reprint copy of this paper, once it is finally published.