High source levels and small active space of high pitched song in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus)
The low frequency, powerful vocalizations of blue and fin whales may potentially be detected by conspecifics across entire ocean basins. In contrast, humpback and bowhead whales produce equally loud, but more complex broadband vocalizations composed of higher frequencies that suffer from higher atte...
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Online Access: | https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/publications/d7fb7fc4-39b6-4aa3-aca8-eff98cec757c https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0052072 |
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ftsydanskunivpub:oai:sdu.dk:publications/d7fb7fc4-39b6-4aa3-aca8-eff98cec757c 2024-09-15T17:57:10+00:00 High source levels and small active space of high pitched song in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) Tervo, Outi Maria Christoffersen, Mads F. Simon, Malene Miller, Lee A. Jensen, Frants H. Parks, Susan Madsen, Peter T. 2012 https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/publications/d7fb7fc4-39b6-4aa3-aca8-eff98cec757c https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0052072 eng eng https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/publications/d7fb7fc4-39b6-4aa3-aca8-eff98cec757c info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess Tervo , O M , Christoffersen , M F , Simon , M , Miller , L A , Jensen , F H , Parks , S & Madsen , P T 2012 , ' High source levels and small active space of high pitched song in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) ' , PLOS ONE , vol. 7 , no. 12 , pp. 1-10 . https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0052072 article 2012 ftsydanskunivpub https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0052072 2024-07-29T23:46:23Z The low frequency, powerful vocalizations of blue and fin whales may potentially be detected by conspecifics across entire ocean basins. In contrast, humpback and bowhead whales produce equally loud, but more complex broadband vocalizations composed of higher frequencies that suffer from higher attenuation. Here we evaluate the active space of high-pitched song notes of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in Western Greenland using measurements of song source levels and ambient noise. Four independent GPS-synchronized hydrophones were deployed through holes in the ice to localize vocalizing bowhead whales, estimate source levels and measure ambient noise. The song had a mean apparent source level of 185 ± 2 dB rms re 1µPa and a high mean centroid frequency of 444 ± 48 Hz. Using measured ambient noise levels in the area and Arctic sound spreading models, the estimated active space of these song notes is between 40 and 130 km, an order of magnitude smaller than the estimated active space of low frequency blue and fin whale songs produced at similar source levels and for similar noise conditions. We propose that bowhead whales spatially compensate for their smaller communication range through mating aggregations that co-evolved with broadband song to form a complex and dynamic acoustically mediated sexual display. Article in Journal/Newspaper Balaena mysticetus Fin whale Greenland University of Southern Denmark Research Portal PLoS ONE 7 12 e52072 |
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Open Polar |
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University of Southern Denmark Research Portal |
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ftsydanskunivpub |
language |
English |
description |
The low frequency, powerful vocalizations of blue and fin whales may potentially be detected by conspecifics across entire ocean basins. In contrast, humpback and bowhead whales produce equally loud, but more complex broadband vocalizations composed of higher frequencies that suffer from higher attenuation. Here we evaluate the active space of high-pitched song notes of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) in Western Greenland using measurements of song source levels and ambient noise. Four independent GPS-synchronized hydrophones were deployed through holes in the ice to localize vocalizing bowhead whales, estimate source levels and measure ambient noise. The song had a mean apparent source level of 185 ± 2 dB rms re 1µPa and a high mean centroid frequency of 444 ± 48 Hz. Using measured ambient noise levels in the area and Arctic sound spreading models, the estimated active space of these song notes is between 40 and 130 km, an order of magnitude smaller than the estimated active space of low frequency blue and fin whale songs produced at similar source levels and for similar noise conditions. We propose that bowhead whales spatially compensate for their smaller communication range through mating aggregations that co-evolved with broadband song to form a complex and dynamic acoustically mediated sexual display. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Tervo, Outi Maria Christoffersen, Mads F. Simon, Malene Miller, Lee A. Jensen, Frants H. Parks, Susan Madsen, Peter T. |
spellingShingle |
Tervo, Outi Maria Christoffersen, Mads F. Simon, Malene Miller, Lee A. Jensen, Frants H. Parks, Susan Madsen, Peter T. High source levels and small active space of high pitched song in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) |
author_facet |
Tervo, Outi Maria Christoffersen, Mads F. Simon, Malene Miller, Lee A. Jensen, Frants H. Parks, Susan Madsen, Peter T. |
author_sort |
Tervo, Outi Maria |
title |
High source levels and small active space of high pitched song in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) |
title_short |
High source levels and small active space of high pitched song in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) |
title_full |
High source levels and small active space of high pitched song in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) |
title_fullStr |
High source levels and small active space of high pitched song in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) |
title_full_unstemmed |
High source levels and small active space of high pitched song in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) |
title_sort |
high source levels and small active space of high pitched song in bowhead whales (balaena mysticetus) |
publishDate |
2012 |
url |
https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/publications/d7fb7fc4-39b6-4aa3-aca8-eff98cec757c https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0052072 |
genre |
Balaena mysticetus Fin whale Greenland |
genre_facet |
Balaena mysticetus Fin whale Greenland |
op_source |
Tervo , O M , Christoffersen , M F , Simon , M , Miller , L A , Jensen , F H , Parks , S & Madsen , P T 2012 , ' High source levels and small active space of high pitched song in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) ' , PLOS ONE , vol. 7 , no. 12 , pp. 1-10 . https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0052072 |
op_relation |
https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/publications/d7fb7fc4-39b6-4aa3-aca8-eff98cec757c |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0052072 |
container_title |
PLoS ONE |
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7 |
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12 |
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e52072 |
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1810433347057352704 |