Title:

Identification and characteristics of signature whistles in wild Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Namibia

Publication Year:
2014
Abstract:

A signature whistle type is a learned, individually distinctive whistle type in a dolphin's acoustic repertoire that broadcasts the identity of the whistle owner. The acquisition and use of signature whistles indicates complex cognitive functioning that requires wider investigation in wild dolphin populations. Here we identify signature whistle types from a population of approximately 100 wild common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting Walvis Bay, and describe signature whistle occurrence, acoustic parameters and temporal production. A catalogue of 43 repeatedly emitted whistle types (REWTs) was generated by analysing 79 hrs of acoustic recordings. From this, 28 signature whistle types were identified using a method based on the temporal patterns in whistle sequences.

Publication Title:

Plos ONE

Volume:
9
Issue:
9
Pages:
e106317
Item Type:
Journal Article
Language:
en

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