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Published on: October 6, 2020
Killer whale (Orcinus orca) whistles from the western South Atlantic Ocean include high frequency signals
Artur Andriolo1, Sarah S Reis1, Thiago O S Amorim1
1Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Bioacústica, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n - Campus Universitário, Bairro São Pedro, 36036-900, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Abstract:
Acoustic parameters of killer whale (Orcinus orca) whistles were described for the western South Atlantic Ocean and highlight the occurrence of high frequency whistles. Killer whale signals were recorded on December of 2012, when a pod of four individuals was observed harassing a group of sperm whales. The high frequency whistles were highly stereotyped and were modulated mostly at ultrasonic frequencies. Compared to other contour types, the high frequency whistles are characterized by higher bandwidths, shorter durations, fewer harmonics, and higher sweep rates. The results add to the knowledge of vocal behavior of this species.
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