Dolphin changes in whistle structure with watercraft activity depends on their behavioral state

May‐Collado, Laura J.; Quiñones-Lebrón, Shakira G.

doi:10.1121/1.4869255

Cited by 41 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The influence of the behavioral context, social and foraging, on the whistle structure was independent of the population. Accordingly, a similar frequency shift in whistles was detected during the behavioral states characterized by a high level of arousal (Acevedo‐Gutièrrez & Stienessen, ; Hawkins, ; King & Janik, ; La Manna et al, ; May‐Collado & Quiñones‐Lebrón, ; Rako‐Gospić & Picciulin, ). Moreover, duration, number of inflection points, and frequency range decreased with the increasing group size, independently of the population (PC2), even if data for group size between 25 and 35 individuals were lacking.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

“…The bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops spp., live in complex fission–fusion societies (Connor, Wells, Mann, & Read, ; Mann, Connor, Barre, & Heithaus, ) and have developed frequency‐modulated, narrow‐band signals, called whistles, used for individual recognition, contact maintenance, and group coordination (Janik & Sayigh, ; MacFarlane et al, ). Many studies have found acoustic variation between different populations of bottlenose dolphin (Azevedo et al, ; Hawkins, ; Jones & Sayigh, ; La Manna, Rako‐Gospić, Manghi, Picciulin, & Sarà, ; May‐Collado & Wartzok, ; Morisaka et al, ; Papale et al, ; Wang et al, ), but understanding such variations without disentangling the concurrent effects of different factors shaping dolphin acoustic behavior may be limiting and frustrating (Gridley, Elwen, Rashley, Badenas Krakauer, & Heiler, ; Heiler, Elwen, Kriesell, & Gridley, ; May‐Collado & Quiñones‐Lebrón, ; Sayingh, ). Because the soundscape of a given environment may change over time, variations in dolphin whistles may be the response to varying background noise levels, for example, to facilitate signal transmission and have an effective communication (Ansmann et al, ; May‐Collado & Wartzok, ; Papale, Gamba, Perez‐Gil, Martin, & Giacoma, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Whistle variation in Mediterranean common bottlenose dolphin: The role of geographical, anthropogenic, social, and behavioral factors

Manna¹,

Rako‐Gospić²,

Sarà

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

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The studies on the variation of acoustic communication in different species have provided insight that genetics, geographic isolation, and adaptation to ecological and social conditions play important roles in the variability of acoustic signals. The dolphin whistles are communication signals that can vary significantly among and within populations. Although it is known that they are influenced by different environmental and social variables, the factors influencing the variation between populations have received scant attention. In the present study, we investigated the factors associated with the acoustic variability in the whistles of common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), inhabiting two Mediterranean areas (Sardinia and Croatia). We explored which factors, among (a) geographical isolation of populations, (b) different environments in terms of noise and boat presence, and (c) social factors (including group size, behavior, and presence of calves), were associated with whistle characteristics. We first applied a principal component analysis to reduce the number of collinear whistle frequency and temporal characteristics and then generalized linear mixed models on the first two principal components. The study revealed that both geographic distance/isolation and local environment are associated with whistle variations between localities. The prominent differences in the acoustic environments between the two areas, which contributed to the acoustic variability in the first principal component (PC1), were found. The calf's presence and foraging and social behavior were also found to be associated with dolphin whistle variation. The second principal component (PC2) was associated only with locality and group size, showing that longer and more complex tonal sound may facilitate individual recognition and cohesion in social groups. Thus, both social and behavioral context influenced significantly the structure of whistles, and they should be considered when investigating acoustic variability among distant dolphin populations to avoid confounding factors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Whistle variation in Mediterranean common bottlenose dolphin: The role of geographical, anthropogenic, social, and behavioral factors

Manna¹,

Rako‐Gospić²,

Sarà

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Although several studies have investigated the likely impact of boat presence on dolphin communication signals including whistles (Buckstaff, 2004;May-Collado & Quiñones-Lebrón, 2014;Scarpaci et al, 2000), few have controlled for other key covariates that may influence whistle parameters such as behavioural context (Lemon, Lynch, Cato, & Harcourt, 5 2006;May-Collado & Quiñones-Lebrón, 2014;Scarpaci et al, 2000). Furthermore, although variation in acoustic parameters can relate to behavioural state (Azevedo et al, 2010;MayCollado, 2013) and may be useful in predicting surface behaviour (Henderson, Hildebrand, & Smith, 2011;Henderson, Hildebrand, Smith, & Falcone, 2012;Hernandez, Solangi, & Kuczaj, 2010) the available information poorly explains the causative factors of this variability.…”

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confidence: 99%

Changes in bottlenose dolphin whistle parameters related to vessel presence, surface behaviour and group composition

et al. 2016

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Cetacean watching from tour boats has increased in recent years and has been promoted as an ethically viable alternative to cetacean viewing in captive facilities or directed take. However, short-and long-term impacts of this industry on the behaviour and energetic expenditure of cetaceans have been documented. Although multiple studies have investigated the acoustic 1 response of dolphins to marine tourism, there are several covariates that could also explain some of these results and should be considered simultaneously. Here, we investigated whether common bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, inhabiting Walvis Bay, Namibia vary their whistle parameters in relation to boat presence, surface behaviour and/or group composition. We detected an upward shift of up to 1.99 kHz in several whistle frequency parameters when dolphins were in the presence of one or more tour boats and the research vessel. No changes were demonstrated in the frequency range, number of inflection points or duration of whistles. A similar, although less pronounced difference was observed in response to engine noise generated by the research vessel when idling, suggesting that noise alone plays an important role in driving this shift in whistle frequency. Additionally, a strong effect of surface behaviour was observed, with the greatest difference in whistle parameters detected between resting and other behavioural states that are associated with higher degrees of emotional arousal. Group composition also contributed to the variation observed, with the impact of boats dependent on whether calves were present or not. Overall these results demonstrate high natural variation in the frequency parameters of whistles utilized by dolphins over varying behavioural states and group composition. Anthropogenic impact in the form of marine tour boats can influence the vocalization parameters of dolphins and such changes could have a long-term impact if they reduce the communication range of whistles or increase energy expenditure. Key wordsbottlenose dolphin, marine tourism, Namibia, Tursiops truncatus, vocal behaviour Wildlife tourism involving cetacean (whale, dolphin and porpoise) watching has experienced rapid growth since the 1990s (Hoyt, 2001;O'Connor, Campbell, Cortez, & Knowles, 2009). 2Globally, boat-based cetacean watching generates an estimated 2.2 billion US dollars annually (IWC, 2014). Revenue can provide a valuable subsidy to fishing communities and in some cases wild cetacean viewing has replaced direct hunting of whales and dolphins (Amir & Jiddawi, 2001;Berggren et al., 2007). Compared with captive facilities, responsible boatbased cetacean watching has been promoted as an ethically acceptable option for observing dolphins, providing a valuable forum for environmental education and promotion of conservation efforts (IFAW, 1997). However, a considerable body of work has shown that boats and boat-based cetacean watching can have multiple negative impacts on the behaviour of the focal individual, population or species (Parsons,...

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“…2004; Morisaka et al, 2005;Guerra et al, 2014;May-Collado and Quiñones-Lebrón, 2014;Heiler et al, 2016). Furthermore, different dolphin populations also appear to vary in the source levels of the whistles they produce (Jensen et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and Temporal Variation in the Acoustic Habitat of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) within a Highly Urbanized Estuary

et al. 2017

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Dolphin changes in whistle structure with watercraft activity depends on their behavioral state

Cited by 41 publications

References 30 publications

Whistle variation in Mediterranean common bottlenose dolphin: The role of geographical, anthropogenic, social, and behavioral factors

Whistle variation in Mediterranean common bottlenose dolphin: The role of geographical, anthropogenic, social, and behavioral factors

Changes in bottlenose dolphin whistle parameters related to vessel presence, surface behaviour and group composition

Spatial and Temporal Variation in the Acoustic Habitat of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) within a Highly Urbanized Estuary

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