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Humans, Fish, and Whales: How Right Whales Modify Calling Behavior in Response to Shifting Background Noise
Susan E Parks1, Karina Groch2, Paulo Flores3
1Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 114 Life Sciences Complex, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA. sparks@syr.edu.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|November 28, 2015
Summary
Southern right whales adjust their vocalizations based on ocean noise levels. This behavioral plasticity is crucial for understanding how noise impacts whale communication and survival.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Bioacoustics
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Marine environments are increasingly affected by anthropogenic noise.
- Sound production is vital for marine mammal communication and survival.
- Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) produce a variety of sounds for communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral plasticity of southern right whale sound production.
- To quantify variations in vocalizations under different ambient noise conditions.
- To assess the impact of fish chorus and vessel noise on whale calls.
Main Methods:
- Acoustic data were collected from southern right whales in Brazilian waters.
- Vocalizations were recorded during periods of low background noise (control), fish chorus noise, and vessel noise.
- Call parameters were analyzed and compared across the three noise conditions.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in southern right whale call parameters were detected among the different background noise conditions.
- Whale vocalizations differed when exposed to fish chorus and vessel noise compared to low noise environments.
- Behavioral plasticity in sound production was evident in response to noise changes.
Conclusions:
- Southern right whales exhibit behavioral plasticity in their sound production in response to varying ambient noise.
- Understanding these vocal adjustments is critical for assessing the effects of noise pollution on marine mammals.
- Future research should consider noise conditions when studying whale bioacoustics and communication.
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