Acoustic signaling of the water shrew, Neomys fodiens (Insectivora, Soricidae), in conflict interruptions

The acoustic communication of water shrews (Neomys fodiens Penn.) was studi ed in conditions of their aggressive behavior. Three structural types of si gnals were earmarked on the basis of a parametric analysis. These types are characterized by different variations of the dynamic sound spectrum. The c hanges in the tenseness of conflict interactions are first and foremost ref lected in temporal parameters of signals. The observation of Neomys fodiens behavior under the reproduction of the earmarked structural types of signa ls showed that the sounds were of different functional importance for the a nimals. They utter them as the result of various motivations.