We are pleased to announce the publication of the following article:
Musser, W.B., A.E. Bowles, D.M. Grebner, and J.L. Crance.
2014. Differences in acoustic features of vocalizations produced by
killer whales
cross-socialized with bottlenose dolphins. Journal of the
Acoustical Society of America, 137(4): 1990-2002.
http://scitation.aip.org/content/asa/journal/jasa/136/4/10.1121/1.4893906
Abstract:
Limited previous evidence suggests that killer whales (Orcinus
orca) are capable of vocal production learning.
However, vocal contextual learning has not been studied, nor the factors
promoting learning.
Vocalizations were collected from three killer whales with a history of
exposure to bottlenose dolphins
(Tursiops truncatus) and compared with data from seven
killer whales held with conspecifics and nine bottlenose dolphins.
The three whales? repertoires were distinguishable by a higher proportion
of click trains and whistles.
Time-domain features of click trains were intermediate between those of
whales held with conspecifics and dolphins.
These differences provided evidence for contextual learning. One
killer whale spontaneously learned to produce
artificial chirps taught to dolphins; acoustic features fell within the
range of inter-individual differences
among the dolphins. This whale also produced whistles similar to a
stereotyped whistle produced by one dolphin.
Thus, results provide further support for vocal production learning and
show that killer whales are capable of contextual learning. That
killer whales produce similar repertoires
when associated with another species suggests substantial vocal
plasticity and motivation for vocal
conformity with social associates.
Ann E. Bowles, PhD
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
abowles@hswri.org
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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
abowles@hswri.org |
www.hswri.org
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