Vocal sequences in narwhals (Monodon monoceros)

Sequences are indicative of signal complexity in vocal communication. While vocal sequences are well-described in birds and terrestrial mammals, the extent to which marine mammals use them is less well understood. This study documents the first known examples of sequence use in the narwhal (Monodon...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
Main Authors: Walmsley, Sam, Rendell, Luke Edward, Hussey, Nigel, Marcoux, Marianne
Other Authors: University of St Andrews. School of Biology, University of St Andrews. Centre for Social Learning & Cognitive Evolution, University of St Andrews. Centre for Biological Diversity, University of St Andrews. Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews. Bioacoustics group, University of St Andrews. Marine Alliance for Science & Technology Scotland
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2020
Subjects:
DAS
GC
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10023/20457
https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0000671
Description
Summary:Sequences are indicative of signal complexity in vocal communication. While vocal sequences are well-described in birds and terrestrial mammals, the extent to which marine mammals use them is less well understood. This study documents the first known examples of sequence use in the narwhal (Monodon monoceros), a gregarious Arctic cetacean. Eight female narwhals were fitted with animal-borne recording devices, resulting in one of the largest datasets of narwhal acoustic behaviour to date. A combination of visual and quantitative classification procedures was used to test whether subjectively defined vocalization patterns were organized into sequences. Next, acoustic characteristics were analyzed to assess whether sequences could disclose group or individual identity. Finally, generalized linear models was used to investigate the behavioural context under which sequences were produced. Two types of sequences, consisting of “paired” patterns and “burst pulse series,” were identified. Sequences of burst pulse series were typically produced in periods of high vocal activity, whereas the opposite was true for sequences of paired patterns, suggesting different functions for each. These findings extend the set of odontocetes which are known to use vocal sequences. Inquiry into vocal sequences in other understudied marine mammals may provide further insights into the evolution of vocal communication. Publisher PDF Peer reviewed