Individual right whales call louder in increased environmental noise

Abstract

The ability to modify vocalizations to compensate for environmental noise is critical for successful communication in a dynamic acoustic environment. Many marine species rely on sound for vital life functions including communication, navigation and feeding. The impacts of significant increases in ocean noise levels from human activities are a current area of concern for the conservation of marine mammals. Here, we document changes in calling behaviour by individual endangered North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in increased background noise. Right whales, like several bird and primate species, respond to periods of increased noise by increasing the amplitude of their calls. This behaviour may help maintain the communication range with conspecifics during periods of increased noise. These call modifications have implications for conservation efforts for right whales, affecting both the way whales use sound to communicate and our ability to detect them with passive acoustic monitoring systems.

Journal

Title: Biology Letters

Abbreviated Title: Biol. Lett.

Publisher: The Royal Society

ISSN (Print): 1744-9561

ISSN (Electronic): 1744-957X

Publication date Created: August 11 2010

Publication date Created: February 23 2011

Publication date (Electronic): July 07 2010

Publication date (Print): February 23 2011

Volume: 7

Issue: 1

Pages: 33-35

Affiliations

[1 ]Applied Research Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16804, USA

[2 ]Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 45 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA

[3 ]Nicholas School of the Environment and Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, 135 Duke Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA

Article

DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2010.0451

PMC ID: 3030867

PubMed ID: 20610418

Copyright statement: © 2011

Product

Self URI (article page): https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2010.0451