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Signature whistles in wild bottlenose dolphins : long-term stability and emission rates
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Whistles are key elements in the acoustic repertoire
of bottlenose dolphins. In this species, the frequency contours
of whistles are used as individual signatures. Assessing the
long-lasting stability of such stereotyped signals, and the
abundant production of non-stereotyped whistles in the wild,
is relevant to a more complete understanding of their biological
function. Additionally, studying the effects of group size
and activity patterns on whistle emission rate may provide
insights into the use of these calls. In this study, we document
the decades-long occurrence of whistles with stereotyped frequency
contours in a population of wild bottlenose dolphins,
resident in the region of the Sado estuary, Portugal. Confirmed
stereotypy throughout more than 20 years, and positive identification
using the signature identification (SIGID) criteria,
suggests that the identified stereotyped whistles are in fact
signature whistles. The potential roles of non-stereotyped
whistles, which represent 68 % of all whistles recorded, are
still unclear and should be further investigated. Emission rates
were significantly higher during food-related events. Finally,
our data show a comparatively high overall whistle production
for this population, and no positive correlation between group
size and emission rates, suggesting social or environmental
restriction mechanisms in vocal production.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Bottlenose dolphins . . . . . . Tursiops truncatus Acoustic communication Signaturewhistles Long-term stability Activity patterns Group size
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Acta Ethologica. 19. 113-122.
Editora
Springer Verlag