Individual right whales call louder in increased environmental noise

Susan E. Parks, Mark Johnson, Douglas Nowacek, Peter L. Tyack

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33-35
Number of pages3
JournalBiology Letters
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Feb 2011

Keywords

  • animal signals
  • noise
  • acoustic communication
  • right whale
  • ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALES
  • ACOUSTIC COMMUNICATION
  • MARINE MAMMALS
  • SOUND

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