Abstract: We used network-based diffusion analysis
to reveal the cultural
spread of a naturally occurring foraging innovation, lobtail feeding, through a population
of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
over a period of 27 years. Support for models with a
social transmission component
was 6 to 23 orders of magnitude greater
than
for models without. The spatial and temporal distribution of sand
lance, a prey species, was also
important in predicting the rate of
acquisition.
Our results, coupled with existing knowledge about song
traditions, show that this
species can maintain multiple independently
evolving
traditions in its populations. These insights strengthen the
case that cetaceans represent a
peak in the evolution of nonhuman
culture,
independent of the primate lineage.
The paper can be obtained from http://www.sciencemag.org/content/340/6131/485 or by emailing
Jenny
Allen at ja465@st-andrews.ac.uk
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might
have.