Vocalizations of the pilot whale (Globicephala melaena, Traill)

• Main Author: McLeod, Peter John
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1982
• Subjects: Killer Whale; Newfoundland; Killer whale
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/5909/; https://research.library.mun.ca/5909/1/McLeod_PeterJohn.pdf; https://research.library.mun.ca/5909/3/McLeod_PeterJohn.pdf

Vocalizations produced by pods of pilot whales were recorded in the inshore waters of Newfoundland. Phonations from a stranded individual were also recorded. Samples of from 6.5 to 43 minutes duration were analyzed with a continuous real-time spectrum analyzer. All audible phonations were categorized on the basis of acoustic properties and temporal associations to create a catalog of the species vocal repertoire (total coded phonations = 2449). -- Phonations were found to be highly variable across pods but quite constant within pods. Variations associated with successive repetitions and different temporal clustering tendancies were also found. Occasionally, temporal patterns allowed between and within individual variability to be distinguished. The importance of measuring variability in the vocalizations of social delphinids and the possible sources of variance are discussed. -- Underwater broadcasts of sounds to pilot whales were conducted. After the broadcast of killer whale phonations to one pod, consistent changes in the relative frequency of three phonation categories occurred but results are inconclusive. Playback of phonations to the same stranded 'animal that produced the sounds resulted in a general increase in vocalization rate. This individual also responded to each playback phonation with an immediate emitance of a phonation of the same category.