First identification of stereotyped whistle contour types by Pseudorca crassidens

Abstract

Individual recognition skills of conspecifics living in complex and fluid animal societies, such as that of delphinids, are important survival advantages, since they allow identifying potentially aggressive conspecifics, kin, mates, and allies (Bruck, 2013). Yet, these skills are the key to maintaining both social cohesion and hierarchy, since they allow reciprocal altruism and social threat assessment, in addition to providing reproductive advantages by avoiding inbreeding