We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article: Crance, J.L., A.E. Bowles and A. Garver. 2014. Evidence for vocal learning in juvenile male killer whales, Orcinus orca, from an adventitious cross-socializing experiment. The Journal of Experimental Biology 217:1229-1237 (doi:10.1242/jeb.094300). <http://jeb.biologists.org/content/current>http://jeb.biologists.org/content/current Summary Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are thought to learn their vocal dialect. Dispersal in the species is rare, but effects of shifts in social association on the dialect can be studied under controlled conditions. Individual call repertoires and social association were measured in three adult female killer whales and three males (two juveniles and an adult) during two periods, 20012003 and 20052006. Three distinct dialect repertoires were represented among the subjects. An adventitious experiment in social change resulted from the birth of a calf and the transfer of two non-focal subjects in 2004. Across the two periods, 1691 calls were collected, categorized and attributed to individuals. Repertoire overlap for each subject dyad was compared with an index of association. During 20052006, the two juvenile males increased association with the unrelated adult male. By the end of the period, both had begun producing novel calls and call features characteristic of his repertoire. However, there was little or no reciprocal change and the adult females did not acquire his calls. Repertoire overlap and association were significantly correlated in the first period. In the second, median association time and repertoire similarity increased, but the relationship was only marginally significant. The results provided evidence that juvenile male killer whales are capable of learning new call types, possibly stimulated by a change in social association. The pattern of learning was consistent with a selective convergence of male repertoires. Ann E. Bowles, PhD Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute <mailto:abowles@hswri.org>abowles@hswri.org 50th_Logo.PNG Ann E. Bowles, PhD | Program Leader, Bioacoustics Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute 2595 Ingraham Street | San Diego | CA 92109 Phone: (619) 226-3870 | Fax: (619) 226-3944 <mailto:abowles@hswri.org>abowles@hswri.org | www.hswri.org The information transmitted (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521, is intended only for the person(s) or entity/entities to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient(s) is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.