Development of vocalization and hearing in American mink (Neovison vison).

• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.080226
• Publication Date: 2013-06-21T04:56:45Z
• Authors: Christian Brandt; Jens Malmkvist; Rasmus L. Nielsen; Nanna Brande-Lavr...; Annemarie Surlykke
• Keywords: Altricial; American mink; Precocial; Auditory brainstem response

Summary American mink (Neovison vison) kits are born altricial and fully dependent 40 on maternal care, for which the kits' vocalisations appear essential. We used Auditory Brainstem Recording (ABR) to determine (1) hearing sensitivity of adult females from two breeding lines known differ in behaviour (2) development 8-52 days age. also studied sound production 20 throughout postnatal 1 44. Adult female had a broad range kHz above 70 kHz, with peak (threshold dB SPL) at 8-10 no difference between (P>0.22) explain care. Mink showed signs up day 24. From 30 all ABRs indicative hearing. Hearing increased age, but was still below level 52. When separated their mothers vocalized loudly. Until age 22 days, 90% significant decline (P=0.27). 25, concurrent start hearing, number vocalizing decreased (P<0.001), particular that were re-tested (P=0.004). Large numbers kept fur industry farms, our results important understand communication, is part natural behaviour. Our suggest as an interesting model studying mammalian correlation production.