[Role of species-specific acoustic signals in the "homing" orientation of intact and olfactory deprived kittens]

Abstract

Vocal responses of lactating cats were recorded and used to investigate home orientation in 1-30 days old kittens. Two types of species-specific acoustic signals were chosen and used in acoustically-guided homing. Type 1 comprised fricative signals below 1.5 kHz of low intensity and long duration. Type 2 comprised intense tonal calls with 2-4 resonant frequency components below 4 kHz. Presentation of tape-recorded signals 1 and 2 through the speaker placed into the home site increased the ability of the kittens to return to the nest. Zn-induced anosmia eliminated home orientation. Presenting of the signals 1 and 2 to anosmic kittens resulted in the recovery of homing. Acoustically-guided behaviour first appears at 6-9 days of age and fully matures by 25-30 days.