Translational outcomes in a full gene deletion of ubiquitin protein ligase E3A rat model of Angelman syndrome.

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmental delay, impaired communication, motor deficits and ataxia, intellectual disabilities, microcephaly, and seizures. The genetic cause of AS is the loss of expression of UBE3A (ubiquitin protein ligase E6-AP) in the brain, typically due to a deletion of the maternal 15q11-q13 region. Previous studies have been performed using a mouse model with a deletion of a single exon of Ube3a. Since three splice variants of Ube3a exist, this has led to a lack of consistent reports and the theory that perhaps not all mouse studies were assessing the effects of an absence of all functional UBE3A. Herein, we report the generation and functional characterization of a novel model of Angelman syndrome by deleting the entire Ube3a gene in the rat. We validated that this resulted in the first comprehensive gene deletion rodent model. Ultrasonic vocalizations from newborn Ube3am-/p+ were reduced in the maternal inherited deletion group with no observable change in the Ube3am+/p- paternal transmission cohort. We also discovered Ube3am-/p+ exhibited delayed reflex development, motor deficits in rearing and fine motor skills, aberrant social communication, and impaired touchscreen learning and memory in young adults. These behavioral deficits were large in effect size and easily apparent in the larger rodent species. Low social communication was detected using a playback task that is unique to rats. Structural imaging illustrated decreased brain volume in Ube3am-/p+ and a variety of intriguing neuroanatomical phenotypes while Ube3am+/p- did not exhibit altered neuroanatomy. Our report identifies, for the first time, unique AS relevant functional phenotypes and anatomical markers as preclinical outcomes to test various strategies for gene and molecular therapies in AS

Emerging urban aural patterns: Finding connections between emergence in architecture and soundscape eEcology

Cities are dynamic, spatial and material systems that exhibit power scaling and selfsimilarity across a range of scales. Spatial designers are informed by mathematical and biological systems and use concepts and processes abstracted from them to analyse the emergent phenomena of dynamic complex systems. Although there is an increasing interest in integrating aural perceptual phenomena within the discourse of spatial design domains, both of these fields continue to develop separately. Urban factors, activities, and morphologies determine the aggregate pattern of aural spaces. In turn, the sonic character affects social order within urban patches. Currently, borrowed epistemological concepts are integrated into both domains, where emergence of architecture and soundscape ecology form the current state-of-the-art for research on urban and soundscape design, respectively. This paper explores soundscape ecology as a point of departure to build on the theory of emergence in architecture by drawing parallels and contrasts between these two domains

Improving individual identification of wolves (Canis lupus) using the fundamental frequency and amplitude of their howls: a new survey method

Many bioacoustic studies have been able to identify individual mammals from variations in the fundamental frequency (F0) of their vocalizations. Other characteristics of vocalization which encode individuality, such as amplitude, are less frequently used because of problems with background noise and recording fidelity over distance. In this thesis, I investigate whether the inclusion of amplitude variables improves the accuracy of individual howl identification in captive Eastern grey wolves (Canis lupus lycaon). I also explore whether the use of a bespoke code to extract the howl features, combined with histogram-derived principal component analysis (PCA) values, can improve current individual wolf howl identification accuracies. From a total of 89 solo howls from six captive individuals, where distances between wolf and observer were short, I achieved 95.5% (+9.0% improvement) individual identification accuracy of captive wolves using discriminant function analysis (DFA) to classify simple scalar variables of F0 and normalized amplitudes. Moreover, this accuracy was increased to 100% when using histogram-derived PCA values of F0 and amplitudes of the first harmonic

Comparison of electrophysiological auditory measures in fishes

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016. Sounds provide fishes with important information used to mediate behaviors such as predator avoidance, prey detection, and social communication. How we measure auditory capabilities in fishes, therefore, has crucial implications for interpreting how individual species use acoustic information in their natural habitat. Recent analyses have highlighted differences between behavioral and electrophysiologically determined hearing thresholds, but less is known about how physiological measures at different auditory processing levels compare within a single species. Here we provide one of the first comparisons of auditory threshold curves determined by different recording methods in a single fish species, the soniferous Hawaiian sergeant fish Abudefduf abdominalis, and review past studies on representative fish species with tuning curves determined by different methods. The Hawaiian sergeant is a colonial benthic-spawning damselfish (Pomacentridae) that produces low-frequency, low-intensity sounds associated with reproductive and agonistic behaviors. We compared saccular potentials, auditory evoked potentials (AEP), and single neuron recordings from acoustic nuclei of the hindbrain and midbrain torus semicircularis. We found that hearing thresholds were lowest at low frequencies (~75–300 Hz) for all methods, which matches the spectral components of sounds produced by this species. However, thresholds at best frequency determined via single cell recordings were ~15–25 dB lower than those measured by AEP and saccular potential techniques. While none of these physiological techniques gives us a true measure of the auditory “perceptual” abilities of a naturally behaving fish, this study highlights that different methodologies can reveal similar detectable range of frequencies for a given species, but absolute hearing sensitivity may vary considerably

Aspects of sound communication in the pearlfish <i>Carapus boraborensis</i> and <i>Carapus homei</i> (Carapidae)

Several species of Carapidae are known to have symbiotic relationships with marine invertebrates. The two most common species in Moorea (French Polynesia), Carapus boraborensis and Carapus homei, undergo conspecific and heterospecific encounters in the same holothurian host during which they produce sounds. Another characteristic of these fish lies in their abilities to produce sounds. The objective of this study was dual: (1) to seek if there was a sexual difference in the sounds produced by C. boraborensis; (2) to seek if there was a difference in the sound emissions between heterospecific and conspecific encounters. In each trial, sounds were only recorded when one individual entered the sea cucumber that was already occupied. In encounters, sounds were structured in regular pulse emissions whose pulse lengths and periods allowed to significantly distinguish each species, as well as both sexes in C. boraborensis. In the latter species, results show for the first time that temporal features of the emitted sounds can have a functional importance in sex identification. In heterospecific encounters, sounds were reduced 68% of the time to a single pulse emission and there was a modification in the pulse length of each species: it shortens in C. homei and it lengthens in C. boraborensis. It highlights that both carapids are able to adapt their sounds to the facing species. Because a modification of the sound appears to be done at the first emission, it is supposed that recognition precedes the sound emission

Geographic variation in neotropical bats : eco-evolutionary processes beyond acoustic diversification and community assembly patterns

Investiguei a variação geográfica nos chamados de ecolocalização de morcegos neotropicais não filostomídeos em relação a fatores climáticos e ecológicos. Testei as hipóteses Sensory Drive e Jame´s rule para determinar se a componente de frequência constante dos chamados de ecolocalização do morcego pescador Noctilio leporinus ao longo da sua distribuição geográfica é influenciada pelo clima, o tamanho corporal e a relação com a filogenia da espécie (Capítulo II); estudei a variação acústica dos chamados de ecolocalização dos grupos de espécies Pteronotus fulvus x P. davyi, e P. psilotis x P. personatus nas zonas de contacto na América Central tentando elucidar diferenças acústicas associadas à distribuição geográfica teórica das espécies e a existência de distintos grupos fônicos (Capítulo III); e finalmente, descrevi os padrões espaço-temporais e espectrais de diversas comunidades acústicas de morcegos do Cerrado e do Pantanal, em relação a diferenças microclimáticas e tipo de habitat (Capítulo IV). Em paralelo, desenvolvi e divulguei diversos materiais gráficos de comunicação da ciência (Material de divulgação) (Capítulo VI). De acordo com a hipótese Sensory Drive, as frequências dos chamados de ecolocalização das espécies ao longo da sua distribuição variam em resposta a diferentes condições de atenuação atmosférica. De acordo com a Jame´s rule, para uma única espécie, o tamanho do corpo correlaciona-se com as condições de umidade e temperatura. Assim, investiguei a influência de fatores climáticos (umidade e temperatura) e do tamanho do corpo na variação geográfica dos chamados de ecolocalização de N. leporinus em um gradiente de umidade e temperatura ao longo da sua distribuição geográfica. Encontrei diferenças significativas na porção de frequência constante dos chamados de ecolocalização da espécie explicada principalmente pela umidade e pelo tamanho do corpo, apoiando parcialmente as duas hipóteses. A extensão em que as frequências mudam devido à variação do clima ou variação do tamanho do corpo mediada pelo clima difere entre as subespécies (tamanhos), sugerindo que tanto a seleção ecológica quanto a história filogenética desempenham um papel importante na divergência acústica da espécie. Para avaliar a variação acústica dos chamados de ecolocalização de grupos de espécies do gênero Pteronotus na América Central realizei um agrupamento hierárquico de k-means sobre componentes principais (HCPC) usando amostras acústicas do México, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicarágua e Costa Rica. Avaliei se essas diferenças acústicas estavam relacionadas com a distância e a localização geográficas. Encontrei evidências de simpatria para três grupos fônicos dentro de cada complexo de espécies, sem uma correspondência clara com a distribuição conhecida das espécies, sendo que as mudanças de frequência dos chamados de ecolocalização seguem um padrão semelhante à variação geográfica das espécies no tamanho do corpo. Concluo que estudos futuros na América Central deverão incluir a captura de espécimenes, marcação e gravação acústica individual para ajudar na resolução do dilema de distribuição levantado aqui. Finalmente, investiguei como a informação acústica (complexidade acústica) das primeiras duas horas de atividade dos morcegos após o pôr do sol muda em resposta à temperatura do ar, umidade relativa e tipo de habitat em comunidades de morcegos amostradas no Cerrado e Pantanal brasileiros. Encontrei padrões espectrais e temporais idiossincráticos nas diversas localidades amostradas no Cerrado e no Pantanal e um efeito significativo e positivo da temperatura na quantidade de informação acústica. Estudos anteriores sugerem que a temperatura é um fator que influencia a atividade de forrageio dos morcegos insetívoros, além da intensidade dos chamados de ecolocalização por meio do efeito da atenuação atmosférica do som. Estudos futuros são necessários para avaliar os efeitos das condições climáticas e da atividade dos morcegos na quantidade de informações capturadas pelos índices acústicos.I investigated the geographic variation in the echolocation calls of non-phylostomid neotropical bats in relation to climatic and ecological factors. I tested the Sensory Drive Hypothesis and the Jame's rule to determine whether the constant frequency of the echolocation calls of the fishing bat Noctilio leporinus along its geographic distribution is influenced by climate, body size and the relationship with the species' phylogeny (Chapter II ); I studied the acoustic variation of echolocation calls of the species groups Pteronotus fulvus x P. davyi, and P. psilotis x P. personatus in the contact zones in Central America, trying to elucidate acoustic differences associated with the theoretical geographic distribution of the species and the existence of distinct phonic groups (Chapter III); and finally, I describe the spatiotemporal and spectral patterns of various acoustic bat communities from the Cerrado and Pantanal, in relation to microclimatic differences and habitat type (Chapter IV). In parallel, I develop and disseminate various graphic materials for science communication (Material de divulgação) (Chapter VI). According to the Sensory Drive hypothesis, the frequency of echolocation calls along the distribution of a species varies in response to different conditions of atmospheric attenuation. According to James' rule, for a single species, body size correlates with humidity and temperature conditions. Then, I investigated the influence of climatic factors (humidity and temperature) and body size on the geographic variation of the echolocation calls of N. leporinus across a gradient of humidity and temperature conditions along with its geographic distribution. I found significant differences in the constant frequency portion of species echolocation calls explained mainly by humidity and body size, partially supporting both hypotheses. The extent to which frequencies change due to climate variation or climate-mediated variation in body size differs between subspecies (sizes), suggesting that both ecological selection and phylogenetic history play an essential role in the acoustic divergence of the species. To assess the acoustic variation of echolocation calls of the genus Pteronotu’s species groups in Central America, I performed a hierarchical clustering of k-means on principal components (HCPC) using acoustic recordings from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. I assessed whether the acoustic differences were related to geographic distance and geographic location. I found evidence of sympatry for three phonic groups within each species complex, without a clear correspondence with the known species distribution. The frequency changes of echolocation calls follow a similar pattern to the body size geographic variation of species. I conclude that further studies in Central America should include specimen capture, tagging, and individual acoustic recording to help resolve the distribution dilemma raised here. Finally, I investigated how the acoustic information (acoustic complexity) during the first two hours of bat activity changes in response to air temperature, relative humidity, and habitat type. I found idiosyncratic spectral and temporal patterns in the different sampled locations in the Cerrado and Pantanal and a significant and positive effect of temperature on the amount of acoustic information. Previous studies suggest that temperature is a key factor influencing the foraging activity of insectivorous bats, and the intensity of echolocation calls through the effect of sound atmospheric attenuation. Yet, future studies are needed to assess the impact of weather conditions and bat activity on the amount of information captured by acoustic indices

The Impact of Anthropogenic Noise on Fish Behavior, Communication, and Development

Noise pollution is pervasive to nearly all aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and was labeled a pollutant of global concern by the World Health Organization in 2011. In the past few decades, underwater ambient noise levels have risen almost 30 dB SPL re: 1 µPa in the frequency range that most fish produce and detect acoustic stimuli due to rises in shipping, oil exploration, and pile driving. Changes to the natural soundscape can impact almost all aspects of an animal’s life. My dissertation research takes an integrative, whole-animal approach to examining how increased background noise impacts fish behavior, physiology, development, and communication. First, I found that social interactions occurring in noisy conditions were less effective. Males spent more time distracted or stressed during territorial fights, resulting in a longer time to fight resolution. Males also changed when and how they courted gravid females. Female hearing capabilities were significantly reduced following noise exposure. Changes to male signal production, female detection capabilities, and possibly the signal itself all interfere with effective social communication. Cumulatively, this resulted in a lower incidence of spawning during noise. Noise exposure also hindered mouthbrooding and maternal care behaviors. Females exposed to noise during brooding were more likely to cannibalize or prematurely release under-developed juveniles. Juveniles that were exposed to noise during development had lower growth rates, higher mortality, and altered social and startle behaviors. Finally, I found that fish possess all components of the proposed inner ear CRF-signaling system and that its expression is mediated by sex, reproductive state, and noise exposure. Because noise-induced changes in expression are dependent on physiological state, it is possible that noise-induced threshold shifts could also be modulated by reproductive condition. Overall, these results provide one of the most comprehensive whole-animal pictures on how increased background noise impacts fish. By examining subtle, sub-lethal changes to behavior, physiology, and communication, we can better inform conservation efforts before human-influenced noise levels reach potentially lethal levels

Toward a synthetic acoustic ecology: sonically situated, evolutionary agent based models of the acoustic niche hypothesis

We introduce the idea of Synthetic Acoustic Ecology (SAC) as a vehicle for transdisciplinary investigation to develop methods and address open theoretical, applied and aesthetic questions in scientific and artistic disciplines of acoustic ecology. Ecoacoustics is an emerging science that investigates and interprets the ecological role of sound. It draws conceptually from, and is reinvigorating the related arts-humanities disciplines historically associated with acoustic ecology, which are concerned with sonically-mediated relationships between human beings and their environments. Both study the acoustic environment, or soundscape, as the literal and conceptual site of interaction of human and non-human organisms. However, no coherent theories exist to frame the ecological role of the soundscape, or to elucidate the evolutionary processes through which it is structured. Similarly there is a lack of appropriate computational methods to analyse the macro soundscape which hampers application in conservation. We propose that a sonically situated flavour of Alife evolutionary agent-based model could build a productive bridge between the art, science and technologies of acoustic ecological investigations to the benefit of all. As a first step, two simple models of the acoustic niche hypothesis are presented which are shown to exhibit emergence of complex spectro-temporal soundscape structures and adaptation to and recovery from noise pollution events. We discuss the potential of SAC as a lingua franca between empirical and theoretical ecoacoustics, and wider transdisciplinary research in ecoacoustic ecology

How traits affect bird responses to anthropogenic noise - a meta-analysis

Anthropogenic noise is a consequence of the expansion of humans across the globe. It has been labeled as a pollutant and threatens the health of not only humans, but wildlife as well. Birds are at an increased risk of being negatively affected by anthropogenic noise because of their reliance on acoustic information. Research has shown that noise can impact different aspects of bird behavior (e.g., foraging) and have negative consequences on their fitness (e.g., reproduction). Exploring how ecological and life-history traits make a species more, or less, vulnerable to anthropogenic noise is important to mitigating the negative impacts of this pollutant. We performed a meta-analysis to explore how birds varied in their responses to anthropogenic noise. We then explored how traits contribute to a variety of responses most directly related to fitness (physiology, reproduction, and growth). We found that species traits mediated the affects of noise on birds. Anthropogenic noise more negatively affected the physiology (e.g., stress hormones) and growth (e.g., body mass) of bird species with larger body sizes and that vocalized at a lower frequency. Several other traits including nesting height, nest type, foraging height, and song range were also predictive of growth responses to anthropogenic noise. Birds with open nests and with nests closer to the ground were found to have their growth more negatively affected. In addition, birds that fed mainly between 2m above the ground to canopy level and that had a wider song frequency range were found to have their growth more negatively affected. We did not find any traits to be related to reproductive responses but did see differences in responses among noise types. Industrial noises (e.g., resource extraction) had the most negative affect on reproductive responses. Our research indicates that the impacts of noise vary among responses and species. Birds are at risk of experiencing decreases in fitness due to anthropogenic noise, but more research is needed to determine how anthropogenic noise affects communities and populations.Master of ScienceSchool for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163339/1/Madden_Natalie_Thesis.pd