In collaboration with researchers from the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology (University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna) researchers at Acoustics Research Institute (ARI) of the OeAW will research the ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of house mice. Previously the same team of researchers have presented an improved machine learning method for the automatic classification of ultrasonic vocalization, called BootSnap, with higher generalizability than the state-of-the-art classifier (more on this research by Reyhaneh Abbasi et al. and the tool BootSnap https://www.oeaw.ac.at/isf/das-institut/event/which-tool-is-best-to-capture-the-songs-of-mice).
In this current FWF-sponsored project, titled “Voice Prints: Individual Signatures and Recognition in Mice” they hypothesize that USVs contain distinctive individual signatures that mediate individual recognition. The aim is to explore the potential of USVs as a means to assign specific individuals during interactions. To achieve this, improved methods for analyzing USVs are required. The team at ARI will focus on developing novel approaches for signal processing, classification, sequencing of USVs, and recognizing individual mice.
On 25.05.2023 the kickoff meeting of this project took place. The project will run until February 2027.