Dr. Rex Cocroft, biologist at the University of Missouri, used the portable vibrometer VibroGo from Polytec in one of his studies. Dr. Cocroft's research aims to unravel the mysterious communication methods of humpback chirps. This research was featured in the latest episode of "The Secret World of Sound" with Sir David Attenborough. The hidden symphonies of nature's quietest creatures captivate the audience.
Humpback chirps: the silent singers
Dr. Cocroft, who has long been fascinated by creatures that communicate through vibrations, explains: "There are at least 200,000 species of animals that sing in a way that is inaudible to us, and that adds up to far more songs than all the birds, whales, fish and frogs together. We don't hear most of the animal sounds."
Role of the VibroGo vibration meter
With the help of the portable vibrometer VibroGo from Polytec, Dr. Cocroft has succeeded in recording and amplifying the tiny vibrations. VibroGo uses a laser beam to detect the slightest vibrations on the surface of objects, allowing researchers to hear the otherwise inaudible songs of humpback chirps.
Polytec supports experiments
Dr. Cocroft's discovery caught the attention of the film crew led by director Nalini Crack. With the support of Dr. Vikrant Palan, Business Development Manager at Polytec Inc. and the advanced vibrometer, they set out to record the mating duet of a humpback chirp. The team placed a female humpback chirp on the trunk of a plant. The vibrations of the male were answered by the female after several attempts. The recordings are an important step towards understanding how these insects communicate.
Sounds of nature
Dr. Cocroft's research is just the beginning of exploring the sounds of nature's smallest creatures. The collaboration with Polytec Inc. and the unusual use of their portable vibrometer VibroGo has opened up new avenues of research into insect communication.