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Sound level detection from within avian eggs are acoustic signals amplified or attenuated at different frequencies for developing embryos 1.14 MB
Published VersionCC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Sound level detection from within avian eggs - are acoustic signals amplified or attenuated at different frequencies for developing embryos?
Emu, Vol.125(3), pp.269-276
2025
Abstract
Over the past decade, novel research has rapidly advanced our understanding of how nest occupants communicate with avian embryos. Beyond the nest, studies investigating environmental acoustics, such as anthropogenic noise, have also identified impacts on avian embryos, with potential health and developmental consequences. However, how the egg itself influences sounds - whether it amplifies, attenuates or distorts them - remains largely unknown. We conducted a pilot experiment to explore this by measuring external acoustics inside two eggs of three bird species: Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius), Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) and Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). A frequency sweep at a known amplitude was played outside the egg to a hydrophone or microphone inside the egg, with and without albumen. Data were analysed as the difference in sound pressure recorded internally and externally across frequencies through the creation of a random forest model. While external sound pressures were comparable inside the eggs, depending on the frequency, some minimal amplification did occur. Species also appeared to influence sound pressure differences within the egg, although the sample size was small (two per species). Our findings provide initial validation for previous research on external acoustics in avian embryos, highlighting the importance of investigations in this area to further elucidate the acoustic environment of the avian egg.
Details
- Title
- Sound level detection from within avian eggs - are acoustic signals amplified or attenuated at different frequencies for developing embryos?
- Authors
- Angela G. Webb (Corresponding Author) - The University of QueenslandDominique Potvin - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringIanuk Athien (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringZhao Li - University of Canterbury
- Publication details
- Emu, Vol.125(3), pp.269-276
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Australasia
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1080/01584197.2025.2554356
- ISSN
- 1448-5540; 0158-4197
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc- nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991169145402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Ornithology