Do Seismic Signals Diverge at the Level of Cytotypes in Turkish Blind Mole Rats?

Faruk Çolak1 and Ferhat Matur2,3,*

1Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey

2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dokuz Eylül University, Buca 35412, Izmir, Turkey

3Dokuz Eyül University, The Center for Faunistic and Floristic Research, Buca 35412, Izmir, Turkey

ABSTRACT

Subterranean animals are limited in mobility and have reduced sensory ability due to living underground, and therefore are presented with a challenge to communicate. One solution is to use seismic signalling, by head drumming, to convey species-specific information. The lesser blind mole rats (Nannospalax sp.) are obligate subterranean rodents known for their remarkable chromosomal variation. In the present study, we investigated whether the structure of seismic signalling is different between the two species found in Turkey, Nannospalax leucodon and the N. xanthodon and whether it is associated with ecological, sex, temporal and chromosomal peculiarities. A cytotype of N. leucodon (2n=56) and three cytotypes of N. xanthodon, (2n=38, 52 and 60) were used in the study. We observed no seismic signalling in N. leucodon. In N. xanthodon, the cytotype 2n=60 had faster rate of signalling in comparison to two other cytotypes (2n=38 and 2n=52), and the cytotypes also differed significantly in the structural components of their signals. There was no difference in signal pattern between different fundamental number variations within cytotypes. We observed temporal variation in seismic signals, but did not found any difference in signalling between the sexes, suggesting the signals are not used for mate recognition. In addition, the signalling structure was not associated with the climate and the soil types of the habitat of origin. We suggest that seismic communication by drumming may be used to recognize conspecifics within the same cytotype or species.

Article Information

Received 19 February 2019

Revised 12 May 2019

Accepted 27 August 2019

Available online 21 August 2020

Authors’ Contribution

FÇ and FM collected samples together in the field and designed the study. FÇ made the behavioural experiments, analysed the data and prepared draft. FM edited the manuscript.

Key words

Head drumming, Vibrational communication, Nannospalax xanthodon, N. leucodon, Behavioural isolation.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20190219110254

* Corresponding author: ferhat.matur@gmail.com

0030-9923/2020/0006-2101 $ 9.00/0

Copyright 2020 Zoological Society of Pakistan

Introduction

Reliable means of communication are essential between conspecifics or different taxonomic groups in practically all animals. Surface-dwelling species may communicate via a number of modes, including visual, audio and chemical; however, none of these are suitable for long-distance communication underground. Therefore, the means of communication in subterranean species is substantially adapted for living underground (Burda et al., 2007; Lange et al., 2007; Heth et al., 1985, 2002; Kimchi and Terkel, 2002; Heffner and Heffner, 1992, 1993). It is impressive that other sensory channels and organs can compensate for the lack of usual communication means (Nevo, 1990). Seismic signals, in particular, are produced in several ways in rodents: by the hind feet, as in Bathyergidae and Dipodidae (Mason and Narins, 2001), both the hind feet and incisors, as in Muridae (Giannoni et al., 1997; Bennett and Jarvis, 1988; Randall and Stevens, 1987; Ward and Randall; 1987, Dewsbury et al., 1978; Howe, 1978; Kenagy, 1973, 1976; Eisenberg, 1963), and by the head drumming, as in Spalacidae (Hrouzková et al., 2013; Li et al., 2001; Heth et al., 1987; Rado et al., 1987). We used the seismic signal term as the vibrations which animal produced it by hitting of a body parts to a substrate such as to the ground (Giannoni et al. 1997; Hrouzková et al., 2013; Rado et al., 1987; Randall, 199; Heth et al., 1987). Blind mole rats (Spalacidae) use seismic signalling to advertise their territory, as well as for orientation (Kimchi et al., 2005; Kimchi and Terkel, 2002, 2003; Heth et al., 1987, 1991), and possibly for species identification (Heth et al., 1987).

If seismic signalling is used for conspecific communication, it should differ between reproductively isolated species. While Dipodomys also produce species-specific drumming (Randall, 1997), head drumming signals were found to be specific to cytotypes in the Palestinian blind mole rat Nannospalax ehrenbergi in Israel (Heth et al., 1991; Nevo, 1985; Nevo et al., 1987; Rado et al., 1987).

Differences in communication signals among populations might depend on different ecological conditions (Seehausen et al., 1997; Marchetti, 1993), but can also serve as a mechanism of behavioural isolation (Boul et al., 2007; Seehausen et al., 1997). The differences in head drumming signalling were suggested to contribute to behavioural isolation and speciation among the different populations of the Palestinian BMR (N. ehrenbergi) in Israel (Nevo et al., 1987).

In the Turkish fauna N. xanthodon is one of the three Nannospalax species, represented by more than 30 cytotypes. It is widely distributed in Turkey (Arslan et al., 2010, 2016; Arslan and Zima, 2014; Kankilic and Gürpınar, 2014; Matur et al., 2013; Hadid et al., 2012; Kandemir et al., 2012; Kryštufek et al., 2012; Kankılıç et al., 2010; Kryštufek and Vohrảlik 2009; Yiğit et al., 2006; Sözen et al., 2006; Matur and Sözen, 2005; Sözen, 2004). N. leucodon is also represented by multiple cytotypes, but only one (2n=56) is found in Turkey’s Thrace (Sözen et al., 2006). Notably, the blind mole rats in Turkey occupy a wide range of habitats (e.g. different climate and soil types, Eken et al., 2005; Atalay, 2004).

Aside from a few reports on seismic signalling behaviour in N. ehrenbergi (Nevo et al., 1987; Rado et al., 1987), there has been no investigation on the other species of mole rats (Hrouzková et al., 2013; Li et al., 2001). We aimed to extend our knowledge on the head drumming signalling of two blind mole rats species found in Turkey (N. leucodon and N. xanthodon) in respect to their chromosomal and ecological characteristics.

 

Materials and methods

Sampling

We examined 22 adult individuals of N. leucodon from 2 locations and 135 individuals of N. xanthodon from 10 locations in Turkey, characterized by different habitats. The individuals of of N. xanthodon belonged to three distinct cytotypes (Table I; Fig. 1). Karyotype of individual were determined by Matur et al. (2005) and (2013). In this study we collect identical coortdinates with those already published so we didn’t repeat the karyotype.

Housing

Animals captured in the field were transferred individually to the laboratory in nest cages (40 × 25 × 20 cm). A plastic tunnel protruded from one side of the cage to simulate a natural environment (underground tunnels) for the animals. Sawdust was added to the cages as burrowing material and bedding and the animals were fed carrots, lettuce, celery, apples, wheat, corn and cabbage ad libitum.

 

Table I.- Sampling localities of N. xanthodont (1 to 10th localites) and N. leucodon (11 and 12th localities). Also the race name described by Arslan et al. (2016) were given in brackets under the locality names.

Locality number	Locality	2n	FN	n		No. of individuals displaying seismic activity		Climate type*	Soil type	Coordinates
				F	M	Presence	Absence
1	Karacabey (turcicus)	38	74	2	3	-	5	S. humid	Clay	40°14.844'N; 28°15.212'E
2	Bigadiç (turcicus)			13	6	10	9	S. arid	Clay	39°22.203'N; 27°59.543'E
3	Çanakkale (turcicus)			8	4	4	8	S. arid	Clay	40°10.349'N; 26°29.054'E
4	Yalova (abant)	52a	74	2	3	5	0	Humid	Clay	40°37.229'N; 29°20.574'E
5	Gerede (abant)		72	17	11	6	22	S. humid	Clay	40°47.631'N; 32°9.387'E
6	Korkuteli (vasvarii)	60a	74	4	2	5	1	S. arid	Clay	37°13.359'N; 30°16.253'E
7	Kapaklı (vasvarii)		78	13	14	15	12	S. humid	Sandd	40°50.033'N; 32°26.724'E
8	Oklubal (vasvarii)			10	6	10	6	S. arid	Clayd	39°48.951'N; 30°14.108'E
9	Gölbaşı (vasvarii)		80	4	5	6	3	Aridc	Clay	39°42.057'N; 32°49.563'E
10	Tavşanlı (vasvarii)			4	5	9	-	S. humidc	Clay	39°35.161'N; 29°24.378'E
Sub total				77	59	67	69
11	Babaeski (leucodon)	56	78	6	8	-	14	S. humid	Clay	41°29.212'N; 26°57.585'E
12	Lüleburgaz (leucodon)			3	5	-	8	S. humid	Clay	41°21.356'N; 27°33.278'E
Sub total				9	13
Total				158

 

*S. Humid, semi-humid, aCytotypes where comparison has been made among the fundamental chromosomal arms (FN). bNumber of individual used for repeated measurements. cLocalities where comparison has been made among the climate types. dLocalities where comparison has been made among the soil types.

 

 

Procedure

We performed all behavioural experiments in the laboratory, taking into account the previous findings by Rado et al. (1987), who showed that seismic signalling patterns in N. ehrenbergi did not differ between the field and the laboratory conditions. Animals were allowed a familiarization period of one week before the experiments began (Zuri and Terkel, 1996). As in kangaroo rats (Dipodomys), the drumming rates are expected to increase when animals are stressed (Randall and Matocq, 1997; Randall, 1991); therefore, we paid maximum attention to minimize the stress level. In earlier studies (Heth et al., 1987; Rado et al., 1987), the drumming behaviour was initiated by introducing two animals into the same tunnel, but other methods that avoid direct contact between animals are now preferred to avoid unnecessary injury. For that reason, we only allowed a single individual into the tunnel. The signals by each animal were recorded in its own environment and no other animal was used to prompt the drumming behaviour. A soft material made of sponge or Styrofoam was rubbed on the plastic tunnel to provoke drumming. This way, if the animal started drumming to mark its territory it did not have to defend itself against another animal. The signalling pattern was recorded by placing an audio recording device (SONY IC Recorder ICD-PX330 with integrated microphone) against the sidewall of the plastic tunnel. The recording was repeated two or three times per week and the entire experiment was completed within two months (15 repetitions). At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized (Leary et al., 2013), as it was not possible to return them back to their natural environment. Subsequently, we calculated the signal parameters with an audio analysis program Adobe Audition 3.0 (Riley, 2008) as described by Hrouzková et al. (2013), Rado et al. (1987), Randall (1997) and Heth et al. (1987). The calculated parameters from a signal set were as follows: PGS, pulse group size or width of a signal (elapsed time between the points of a–c; Fig. 2); PG, pulse group in a burst (peak count between the points of a–c; Fig. 2); and PU or signal speed, the one pulse or thump of animals in one burst, distance between two peaks (elapsed time between the points of a–b; Fig. 2). The signal or burst refers to the elapsed time between the points of a–c and consists of the time between starting and ending points of the drumming of the blind mole rats as shown on Figure 2.

Statistical analysis

We first tested whether the differences in seismic signalling among individuals were not random by using the signals recorded during different sessions on different days. First, we applied ANOVA (SPSS 13) with repeated measurements for each animal for the PU parameter and a non-parametric Friedman test for the PGS and PG parameters (SPSS 13). Second, we tested if signal components varied by sex by using the t-test on the data for three different variables (PU, PGS, and PG). To test whether ecological characteristics have any effect on the seismic signal patterns, we performed the same testing within cytotypes. To test a single ecological variable per each step, we pooled together individuals with identical FN values from different localities. We used a total of 27 individuals from Kapaklı (2n=60, FN=78, sandy soil type, locality no= 7 in Fig. 1), and 16 animals from Oklubal (2n=60, FN=78, clayish soil type, locality no = 8 on Fig. 1; Table I). We tested for the effects of climate by using a total of 9 individual from Gölbaşı (2n=60, FN=80, arid climate, locality no = 9 in Fig. 1), and 9 individuals from Tavşanlı (2n=60, FN=80, semi-arid climate, locality no = 10 on Fig. 1). Finally, we analyzed the variation in seismic signalling among all FN types within two cytotypes (2n=52: FN=72, 74 by the t-test and 2n=60: FN=74, 78, 80 by ANOVA) and among all cytotypes of N. xanthodon (2n=38, 52 and 60) by ANOVA. The PCA was performed in R statistical software, using all three variables, to see whether the clustering pattern in individual data corresponded to cytotypes or to FN types in two-dimensional space (Kassambara, 2016; Kassambara and Mundt, 2016; R Development Core Team, 2016).

The animals were treated in accordance with the guidelines of the Bülent Ecevit University Animal Experiments Local Ethic Committee; approval reference number 2012-03-25/01.

 

Table II.- Cytotypes comparison (ANOVA shows the results of three characters among cytotype characters. f: F value).

Variable	2n	n	Mean	Test value	p-value
PU	38	10	0.115	103.499f	0.000*
	52	11	0.117
	60	45	0.768
PG	38	10	4.642	41.205f	0.000*
	52	11	8.085
	60	45	4.714
PGS	38	10	0.471	93.681f	0.000*
	52	11	0.832
	60	45	0.293

 

Results

We did not observe any drumming behaviour in N. leucodon (n = 22). In contrast, some individuals of N. xanthodon in each sampled locality displayed drumming behaviour (Table I). The numbers of individuals in Table I which displayed the drumming behaviour were 14, 11 and 45 for the cytotypes 2n=38, 52 and 60, respectively.

The ANOVA test among the three cytotypes showed significant differences in all variables (p = 0.000). When we performed a post-hoc test, the cytotype 2n=60 was statistically different from other cytotypes in terms of PU (signal velocity), with faster signal. While the PGS variable was different among all three cytotypes, the PG variable was the same for the 2n=38 and 60; but different for the 2n=52 cytotype (Table II). According to the PCA results the individuals with identical diploid numbers were grouped closely with each other in a two-dimensional space (Fig. 3). Comparisons of FN variations of the cytotypes 2n=52 (FN=72 and 74) and 60 (FN=74, 78 and 80) did not show significant differences within 2n=52 and 2n=60 (Table III).

 

Table III.- FN comparison (ANOVA shows the results of three characters among FN variations. Comparisons in 2n=52 was calculated by t-test, but F statistic was used for comparisons of three NF variation in 2n=60. t: t value, f: F value).

Variable	2n	FN	n	Mean	Test value	p-value
PU	60	74	5	0.758	0.201f	0.819
		78	20	0.766
		80	15	0.783
	52	72	6	0.1121	-1.729t	0.146
		74	5	0.1234
PG	60	74	5	4.242	2.012f	0.148
		78	20	5.064
		80	15	4.632
	52	72	6	8.333	0.496 t	0.626
		74	5	7.787
PGS	60	74	5	0.245	2.042f	0.144
		78	20	0.318
		80	15	0.299
	52	72	6	0.805	-0.392 t	0.710
		74	5	0.865

 

Among all three cytotypes, 13 out of the total of 60 individuals displaying drumming behaviours were evaluated for temporal variation. A total of 13 individuals (one with 2n=38/NF=74 and twelve with 2n=60/FN=78 were used for multiple measurements (>0.05). Using repeated measurements tests for the same individuals, we found the difference in the peak number (PG) in only two individuals and no difference in the signal length (PGS). There was significant variation in the signal speed (PU) in all but two individuals.

We found no statistically significant difference in seismic signalling between sexes in all three variables (t-test, Table IV). For the ecological comparisons, t-test results showed no significant difference between the seismic signal patterns in the individuals from different soil and climate types (t-test, Table V).

 

Table IV.- Sex comparison (t-test comparisons of sexes. t: t value).

Variable	2n	F	M	Mean (female/male)	Test value	p- value
PU	38	6	4	0.98/0.119	-3.70t	0.13
	52	6	5	0.111/0.119	-1.105t	0.298
	60	25	20	0.79/0.77	0.645t	0.523
PG	38	6	4	0.510/0.420	1.254t	0.245
	52	6	5	0.792/0.739	0.546t	0.598
	60	25	20	0.294/0.284	0.423t	0.675
PGS	38	6	4	5.013/4.112	1.49t	0.196
	52	6	5	8.113/7.672	0.568t	0.584
	60	25	20	4.745/4.639	0.324t	0.748

 

Discussion

Social communication has a vital role mediating behaviour such as mate choice, territoriality, and kin selection. Because mating between individuals of different species can have negative fitness consequences, animals are expected to be under strong selection to produce and recognize species-specific mating signals (Ryan and Rand, 1993). Thus, the signals used for species recognition should show less variation across environmental and season factors. This should be especially true for blind mole rats (Nannospalax sp.), which live underground with no visual sensory ability and limited opportunity for dispersal. Indeed, our results show that N. xanthodon differ significantly in drumming components by cytotype and lend support to previous studies that show individuals can recognize species through seismic signals.

 

Table V.- Ecological comparisons (t-test between ecological groups. t: t value).

Variable	2n	FN	Locality	n	Mean	Soil/Climate	Test value	Sig
PU	60	78	Kapaklı	15	0.770	Sandy soil	-0.740t	0.467
		78	Oklubal	10	0.80	Clay soil
		80	Gölbaşı	6	0.740	Arid	-0.943t	0.366
		80	Tavşanlı	9	0.860	Semi humid
PG	60	78	Kapaklı	15	4.715	Sandy soil	-0.780t	0.444
		78	Oklubal	10	5.104	Clay soil
		80	Gölbaşı	6	4.517	Arid	0.41t	0.968
		80	Tavşanlı	9	4.732	Semi humid
PGS	60	78	Kapaklı	15	0.285	Sandy soil	-1.026t	0.316
		78	Oklubal	10	0.324	Clay soil
		80	Gölbaşı	6	0.263	Arid	-0.492t	0.652
		80	Tavşanlı	9	0.319	Semi humid

 

The lack of drumming behaviour in samples of N. leucodon appears to be quite interesting since the seismic signalling is reported for many member of family Spalacidae, in particular for communication purposes (Hrouzková et al., 2013; Li et al., 2001; Nevo et al., 1987; Rado et al., 1987). Our total sample size for the N. leucodon was 20 individuals and this number is higher compared to many other locations of N. xanthodon distributed throughout the Asian part of Turkey. At the same time, drumming behaviour was not observed in only one locality of the cytotype 2n=38. It could be that the reason for the absence of drumming behaviour in N. leucodon and 2n=38 cytotype of N. xanthodon is similar. We suggest that a new independent experiment might be needed to get precise information on the drumming behaviour in N. leucodon, perhaps using large samples from different locations.

The comparison between cytotypes and FN may provide evolutionary insights. Seismic signals could be useful in kinship recognition. The different seismic signalling patterns per each cytotype implied that individuals may use seismic signalling to recognize conspecifics. The behaviours of individuals towards each other may be related to their genetic relatedness both within and between populations. Since the seismic signalling variations among different cytotypes of Palestinian blind mole rats were shown to be used for recognition of conspecifics, it was interpreted as a contribution to reproductive isolation between the cytotypes (Heth et al., 1987; Rado et al., 1987). Our results show that each cytotype of N. xanthodon showed as a clear cluster on the individual principle components plot (Fig. 3). Almost 80% of the variation could be explained by the differences between 2n=60 and the other two cytotypes. Similar to N. ehrenbergi, the seismic signal patterns in N. xanthodon varied by diploid chromosome numbers and may represent the means of species-specific communication. Interestingly, the first PC axis revealed closer relationship between the cytotypes 2n=38 and 2n=52, and a slightly tighter clustering of individuals with cytotype 2n=60 (Fig. 1). This corresponds to a recent finding by Matur et al. (2019), who showed that 2n=52 and 2n=38 belong to the same Western Anatolian phylogentic clade, different from the Central Anatolian clade that contains 2n=60.

In the present study, we tested whether there is a difference in drumming patterns among individuals with different numbers of chromosome arms (FN) within the same cytotypes 2n=52 (FN=72 and 74) and 60 (FN=74, 78 and 80). Difference in FN variants may theoretically serve as a reproductive barrier between populations or mark population divergence. However, we found no statistically significant difference. This means that similar drumming signals are used by all individuals that belong to the same cytotypes and such similar signalling may prevent behavioural isolation among FN variants.

We found significant unexplained differences among the repeated measurements in the signal speed (PU) in most individuals. This result could not be caused by seasonal variation, since all recordings per each individual were performed within a short period of two months. Variation in diet regime is also an unlikely cause since all animals were given the same food at libitum. It is interesting that some animals did not display temporal variation. We conclude that this finding needs further investigation. Other variables (PG and PGS, with minor exceptions) remained constant for the same individuals over the entire experiment. We suggest that the drumming signalling patterns may be used as an additional taxonomic character to differentiate between cytotypes. However, other factors may affect the signalling pattern. For example, the foot-drumming signals made by the kangaroo rats are affected by their social environment, and the variation is higher in juveniles than in adults (Randall and Matocq, 1997; Randall, 1991, 1995). We could not determine the age of individuals, as methods for reliable age verification in BMRs are non-existent or poorly developed (Puzachenko, 1996). Therefore we cannot exclude the possibility that some portion of variation between cytotypes in our study was linked to age. However, age alone cannot account for the strong differences in signalling pattern between the cytotypes.

Although mate choice has been proposed as one explanation for species-specific communication, we found that seismic signal structures were similar for both sexes (Table IV). It appears that there is no sexual dimorphism in N. xanthodon in terms of seismic signal structures (Table IV) and thus it is unlikely that this communication is under sexual selection. Blind mole rats are known to be solitary animals, and only one individual occupies a single nest, except during mating season or maternal care (Nevo, 1961). They defend their territories against intruders and they use seismic signals to define the borders of their territories (Zuri and Terkel, 1996). Heth et al. (1987) reported that the Palestinian blind mole rat N. ehrenbergii use seismic signals for territorial purposes. Our results suggest that seismic signals may also be used for territorial purposes by the Anatolian blind mole rat N. xanthodon.

The drumming signals of animals originated from different soil and climate types did not show any difference (Table V). We conclude that ecological factors play little or no role in shaping the seismic signalling of N. xanthodon

 

Conclusion

The seismic signalling structure of two mole rats species of Nannospalax in Turkey evaluated in the manuscript. The N. leucodon has not drumming behaviour based on our samplings and needs elaborately study across it distribution range in Turkey. Although the cytotypes of N. xanthodon in Turkey have ecological, sex and chromosomal variations (like FN), they have unique seismic signalling structure. We gave a description of some races of seismic signalling patterns of mole rats in Turkey first time and it must be study detailed in future in all Nannospalax cytotypes.

 

Acknowledgement

This project has been supported by Bülent Ecevit University BAP 2012-10-06-01. We would like to thank Murat Sevindik, Sercan Irmak, Ortaç Çetintaş, Muhsin Çoğal and Tuğçe Ceylan for their help with collecting samples. Jamie Winternitz and Alexey Yanchukov helped with editing the first manuscript draft. This study is a part of the PhD thesis of Faruk Çolak (2015).

 

Statement of conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this article.

 

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