We are pleased to inform you about our recent publication in Marine Mammal Science entitled
Clicks of wild Burmeister’s porpoises (Phocoena spinipinnis) in Tierra
del Fuego, Argentina: Reyes Reyes, M.V., Marino, A., Dellabianca, N.A., Hevia, M., Torres, M., Raya Rey, A., Melcón, M.L. DOI 10.1111/mms.12489
Summary: Burmeister’s
porpoise is one of the seven species of Phocoenidae family, and is
endemic to South America. Acoustic recordings were obtained from a resident
population of Burmeister’s porpoises in the Beagle Channel, Argentina. The
species produces clicks with a median -3 dB bandwidth of 8 kHz, 10 dB duration
of 144 µs, centroid frequency at 146 kHz, peak frequency at 138 kHz, and Q-3dB
of 21. This study represents the first description of sounds produced by
Burmeister’s porpoises in the wild, showing the presence of narrow-band high
frequency signals, similar to the other species of porpoises. Burmeister’s
porpoises may obtain acoustic crypsis through NBHF clicks to avoid being heard
by killer whales, a possible predator in the area.
Cheers,
Vanesa