Memorial University DAI: Vocalizations of the North Atlantic pilot whale (Globicephala melaena Traill) as related to behavioral and environmental contexts

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Title	Vocalizations of the North Atlantic pilot whale (Globicephala melaena Traill) as related to behavioral and environmental contexts
Author	Weilgart, Linda Susan
Description	Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1985. Psychology
Date	1985
Pagination	xii, 140 leaves : ill.
Subject	Dolphins--Behavior; Animal communication; Globicephala melaena; Sound production by animals
Degree	M.Sc.
Degree Grantor	Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dept. of Psychology
Discipline	Psychology
Language	Eng
Notes	Bibliography: leaves 102-108.
Abstract	Vocalizations of free-ranging North Atlantic pilot whales were studied in different behavioral and environmental contexts to gain insight into the function and biological significance of different sound types. Pilot whales in Conception Bay, Newfoundland, were followed for a period of a week, night and day. Concurrent visual and acoustic recordings were made, and correlations were examined between the different acoustic, behavioral, and environmental variables. Whistles were categorized into 7 types based on the aural impression of the whistles' contour. -- Simple whistles (with no frequency inflections) were more common than complex whistles (more than 2 frequency inflections), which were rare. Simple whistles were heard when whales were milling, a restful behavior type which occurred over shallower water. In contrast, during surface active-behavior, energetic coordinated behavior thought to be feeding, many sound types, especially complex whistles and pulsed sounds, increased in number. More clicking (thought to function in echolocation) was also heard. Greater numbers of most whistle types were produced when whales were spread over a larger area and when more subgroups were present. During conditions of high wind speed and wave height (which produced much background noise) groups were larger and in tight formation with fewer surrounding subgroups present. Whales moved in a less unified manner when the group was larger and scattered over a greater area. -- It was concluded that in pilot whales, complexity of sound and complexity of behavior (requiring a high level of coordination) were related. Vocalizations were thought to play an integral part in maintaining contact between group members and coordinating movements of the herd.
Type	Text
Resource Type	Electronic thesis or dissertation
Format	Image/jpeg; Application/pdf
Source	Paper copy kept in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries
Local Identifier	75352553
Rights	The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.
Collection	Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Scanning Status	Completed
PDF File	(27.63 MB) -- http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/theses/Weilgart_LindaSusan.pdf
CONTENTdm file name	248363.cpd