美国特拉华大学Joshua P. Neunuebel研究组利用超声信号研究小鼠不同类型的社会行为。该研究2020年2月17日在线发表于国际学术期刊《自然—神经科学》。

通过跟踪单个小鼠的超声发声行为，并使用开发来对语音相似信号进行分组的算法，研究表明随着雄性小鼠执行特定的社交动作而出现不同发声模式。与避免社交互动的小鼠相比，进行社交互动的小鼠更有可能发出不同的声音信号。此外，声音表达的模式会影响社交伙伴的行为，但不会影响笼中其他动物的行为。这些发现通过揭示可通信的超声波信号表来阐明小鼠通信的功能。研究人员表明，声音表达的模式会影响社交伙伴的行为，但不会影响笼中其他动物的行为。这些结果通过揭示交流超声波信号来阐明小鼠交流的功能。

据介绍，交流在人类社会动态中起着不可或缺的作用，并在几种神经发育障碍中交流会受到影响。小鼠被用来研究社交行为的神经生物学。但是，由于很难在参与群体互动的小鼠之间识别发声动物，因此小鼠发声对社会动态的影响程度仍然不清楚。

附：英文原文

Title: Ultrasonic signals associated with different types of social behavior of mice

Author: Daniel T. Sangiamo, Megan R. Warren, Joshua P. Neunuebel

Issue&Volume: 2020-02-17

Abstract: Communication plays an integral role in human social dynamics and is impaired in several neurodevelopmental disorders. Mice are used to study the neurobiology of social behavior; however, the extent to which mouse vocalizations influence social dynamics has remained elusive because it is difficult to identify the vocalizing animal among mice involved in a group interaction. By tracking the ultrasonic vocal behavior of individual mice and using an algorithm developed to group phonically similar signals, we showed that distinct patterns of vocalization emerge as male mice perform specific social actions. Mice dominating other mice were more likely to emit different vocal signals than mice avoiding social interactions. Furthermore, we showed that the patterns of vocal expression influence the behavior of the socially engaged partner but do not influence the behavior of other animals in the cage. These findings clarify the function of mouse communication by revealing a communicative ultrasonic signaling repertoire.

DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-0584-z

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-020-0584-z