Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (University of Texas Digital Repository, viewed on Sept. 11, 2001). Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--University of Stockholm, 1984. / Cover title. Added t.p. laid in. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 24-26 (1st group)).

Thesis (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.) -- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2006. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Sept. 20, 2006). Thesis advisor: Todd M. Freeberg. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, 2007. / Title from title screen (viewed 13 January 2009). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Faculty of Veterinary Science. Degree awarded 2007; thesis submitted 2006. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print form.

De nombreuses études portant sur les dialectes ont ouvert de nouvelles perspectives sur l’origine, le maintien et la fonction des dialectes chez les oscines. Trois hypothèses ont été formulées : le modèle historique (les dialectes résulteraient d’effets secondaires de l’apprentissage vocal), le modèle de spécialisation raciale (les dialectes résulteraient de populations génétiquement distinctes) et le modèle d’adaptation sociale (les dialectes résulteraient d’apprentissages à fonction sociale). Les caciques cul-jaune (Cacicus cela) ont été un modèle pionnier pour la mise en évidence de dialectes sociaux. Paradoxalement, chez l’espèce voisine des caciques cul-rouge (Cacicus haemorrhous), les dialectes sont indiqués comme étant absents. Le but de cette étude est de vérifier l’existence de dialectes chez les C. cela, de rechercher leur présence chez les C. haemorrrhous, d’étudier leur distribution spatiale et leur stabilité temporelle, et de tester expérimentalement (chez C. cela) leur perception par les membres de la colonie. L’intégralité de l’étude a été réalisée en Guyane Française sur des colonies de nidification. Les paramètres acoustiques temporels et de fréquence des chants courts produits par les mâles de chaque espèce ont été mesurés au cours de plusieurs années. Des expériences ont été menées, où des chants de différents dialectes ont été diffusés dans les colonies. Nous avons trouvé un chant court similaire à celui de C. cela chez C. haemorrhous. Nous avons confirmé la présence de dialectes de colonies proches chez C. cela et démontré leur présence pour la première fois chez C. haemorrhous. Les dialectes des deux espèces présentent une variation temporelle rapide, avec des dialectes différents chaque année au même endroit (différence plus marquée chez les C. cela). Les C. cela discriminent les dialectes de leur propre colonie des dialectes d'origine lointaine. Ils répondent notamment à ces derniers en produisant la première note de leur chant court. Ces résultats favorisent l’hypothèse d’adaptation sociale pour les dialectes chez ces deux espèces de Cacicus. / Numerous studies of dialects opened new perspectives on the origin, sustained presence and function of dialects in oscine birds. Three hypotheses have been proposed: the historical model (dialects would be by-products of vocal learning), the racial specialization model (dialects would be due to genetic differences between populations) and the social adaptation model (dialects would result from socially adaptive learning processes). Yellow-rumped caciques (Cacicus cela) have been a pioneer model for evidencing social dialects. Paradoxically, dialects have been indicated as absent in the closely related species red-rumped caciques (Cacicus haemorrhous). This study aims to verify the existence of dialects in C. cela, seek after the presence of dialects in C. haemorrrhous, study their spatial distribution and temporal stability, and test experimentally (in C. cela) their differential perception by colony members. The whole study was performed in French Guyana at nesting colonies. We measured timing and frequency acoustic parameters of short songs produced by males of both species during several years. We conducted experiments at colonies where we played back songs from different dialects. We found a colonial “short song” similar to that of C. cela in C. haemorrhous. We confirmed the presence of neighboring colony dialects in C. cela and we demonstrated their presence for the first time in C. haemorrhous. Dialects in both species show a fast temporal variation, with different dialects every year at the same place (difference more pronounced in C. cela). C. cela birds discriminate the dialects of their own colony from those of far distant origin. They notably answer the latter by voicing the first note of their short song. These results are in favor of the hypothesis of social adaptation for dialects in these two Cacicus species.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Communication is a vital tool used by humans to share information, coordinate behavior, and survive. However, the ability to communicate can become disrupted or remain absent in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders: two prominent examples include autism spectrum disorders and developmental language disorders, found in nearly 2% and 10% of the population, respectively. Communication disorders are devastating to the autonomy and quality of life of affected individuals, but clinical solutions are limited due to the complex and often unknown neural etiology underlying these conditions. One known disorder with high incidence of disrupted communication is Neurofibromatosis type 1, the genetic disease caused by heterozygosity of the Ras GTPase-activating protein-coding gene NF1. Mice heterozygous for their ortholog of this gene (Nf1+/-) have been shown to recapitulate neuropsychiatric conditions seen in patients. Using a courtship trial paradigm as a model for testing communication, I have demonstrated that Nf1+/- male mice showed deficits in both courtship and non-courtship social behavior as well as a decrease in the number and duration of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). Immediate early gene (IEG) immunohistochemistry (IHC) in neurons of courtship-relevant brain regions revealed the Shell of the Nucleus Accumbens (NAcS) as a dysfunctional brain region in Nf1+/- mice compared to WT male mice following courtship trial. Optogenetic targeting of the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) restored courtship social behaviors and USV number, but not USV duration or non-courtship gestural social behaviors, in Nf1+/- males. This study contributes to a preclinical foundation for understanding etiology of communication disorders in patients.

Behavior and communication modes were studied in captive <u>Monodelphis domestica</u>, a small solitary, nocturnal, omnivorous marsupial in the family Didelphidae. The social biology was examined to evaluate the importance of visual, olfactory, auditory, and tactile communication. Social contexts were compared in 124 encounters of 30 min each. An ethogram was developed containing 74 behaviors which sorted into 9 major behavioral categories: grooming and resting, exploration, attention, scent marking, vocalizations, social contact, aggression, retreat, and sexual. Solitary <u>Monodelphis</u> explored, groomed, and scent marked. Familiar male-female pairs displayed less aggression than unfamiliar male-female pairs. Non-estrous females aggressively repelled males and exhibited much dominance related behavior, but male-male pairs were the most agonistic. Seven scent marking modes were identified which functioned to communicate individual identity and sexual advertisement. Males could distinguish sex and estrous condition of conspecific urine donors by olfaction. Dig perineal dragging, lateral side rubbing, and hip rubbing were unique to <u>Monodelphis</u>. Tongue protrusion was observed and may be related to vomeronasal organ function. Four principal agonistic vocalizations were used while one, clicking, was observed only in male sexual behavior and submissive contexts by both sexes. A chittering vocalization is described. Social contact behaviors included approaches and directed sniffs. Males sniffed female cloacal regions who in turn sniffed the ma1es’ sides and abdomens. Dominance-subordinance relationships were characterized. Behavior of close relatives <u>Didelphis</u> and <u>Marmosa</u> was similar, but some behaviors were unique to <u>Monodelphis</u>. / Master of Science / incomplete_metadata

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