Using agent-based models to understand the role of individuals in the song evolution of humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) ...

• Main Authors: Mcloughlin, Michael, Lamoni, Luca, Garland, Ellen C., Ingram, Simon, Kirke, Alexis, Noad, Michael J., Rendell, Luke, Miranda, Eduardo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Figshare 2018
• Subjects: 190406 Music Composition; FOS: Arts arts, history of arts, performing arts, music; 190407 Music Performance; 190409 Musicology and Ethnomusicology; Megaptera novaeangliae
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25384/sage.c.4105415; https://figshare.com/collections/Using_agent-based_models_to_understand_the_role_of_individuals_in_the_song_evolution_of_humpback_whales_i_Megaptera_novaeangliae_i_/4105415

Male humpback whales produce hierarchically structured songs, primarily during the breeding season. These songs gradually change over the course of the breeding season, and are generally population specific. However, instances have been recorded of more rapid song changes where the song of a population can be replaced by the song of an adjacent population. The mechanisms that drive these changes are not currently understood, and difficulties in tracking individual whales over long migratory routes mean field studies to understand these mechanisms are not feasible. In order to help understand the mechanisms that drive these song changes, we present here a spatially explicit agent-based model inspired by methods used in computer music research. We model the migratory patterns of humpback whales, a simple song learning and production method coupled with sound transmission loss, and how often singing occurs during these migratory cycles. This model is then extended to include learning biases that may be ...