Rã-túngara (Physalaemus pustulosus)
Males with more complex vocalizations tended to attract more females — and some humans. Are we linked to certain species by common sensory mechanisms?
Humans may even share preferences with other animal species, according to a new study that gives scientific backing to Charles Darwin’s long-held intuition that humans and animals may have similar tastes in food. beauty.
The research has roots in the 1980s, a landmark period for ethology, according to — it was when scientists began to better understand the mechanisms of sexual selection in the animal world. Among the highlighted researchers were Michael J. Ryan e A. Stanley Randfrom the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, who studied the rã-túngara in the forests of Central America.
The amphibian’s name comes from its characteristic call, described as “tún-gara”. By analyzing hundreds of recordings, scientists concluded that the males with more complex vocalizations tended to attract more femalesthus increasing their reproductive success.
Logan James, a colleague at the same institution, noticed something highly surprising: that he, a human being, also preferred the same songs that female frogs seemed to favor. Scientists wondered: did humans and other animals evolve to appreciate similar acoustic patterns?
The hypothesis was reinforced by investigations in other species. Studies with bats that feed on frogs and blood-sucking flies also showed that females tend to prefer males with more elaborate calls. But it was still unclear whether human beings would follow this same pattern of choice.
Are we all sensorially connected?
To answer the question, a team turned to the Internet and created an interactive citizen science game, according to a study in Science on March 19.
The test had 16 rounds, each dedicated to an animal species. In each phase, participants heard two versions of a song — one simpler and the other more complex — and chose the one they preferred. More than 4,000 people participated in the experiment.
The results revealed a clear correlation between human preferences and choices made by females of various species. In many cases, participants opted for more complex sounds, especially when they included lower frequencies and acoustic ornaments such as trills, pops and weevils.
The study thus gives new impetus to Darwin’s vision, by showing that the appreciation for sound complexity could have biological bases shared between species. We can all, as living beings, be connected by common sensory mechanisms, shaped by evolution over millions of years.
