Ontogeny of sexually dimorphic ultrasonic vocalizations in Mongolian gerbils

Sexual differentiation of emission rates (Experiment 1) and physical structure of ultrasonic vocalizations (Experiment 2) were investigated in Mongolian gerbils between 17 and 85 days of age. Animals from different litters were allowed to interact in iso- and heterosexual pairs. Vocalization rates increased in all groups, reaching a plateau at approximately day 56. Female pups had significantly higher rates of all vocalizations than male pairs before the plateau stage. Five stereotypic categories of physical structure were easily distinguished and confirmed by sound spectrographic analysis. Only mid-range frequencies of vocalizations appeared to decline throughout the juveniles' lives: this change may communicate the animal's age. Two male and one female categories were sexually dimorphic and similar in structure to those made during courtship interactions. Rates of male-type vocalizations appear to increase as testicular androgens start rising.