Local environment and population demographics, not genetics, influence bottlenose dolphin 'names'

It is the local ocean environment and population demographic that explains the different lengths and pitches of signature whistles, according to new research. Scientific Reports published the study.

Common bottlenose dolphins use a range of whistles, including a signature whistle, which is unique to each animal. Different groups of dolphins tend to have different styles of signature whistles. It is not clear which factors influence the development of signature whistles.

The difference in signature whistles between six different populations of common bottlenose dolphins across the Mediterranean Sea was analyzed using 188 hours of recorded acoustic data. The sites included Port Cros in the French Riviera, Alghero in the Sardinian Sea, and Ostia-Fiumicino in the Tyrrhenian Sea. There is genetic variation between dolphin populations. The authors mapped variations in acoustic features such as duration and pitch.

The authors looked at the influence of region, geographic site, local ocean environment, and population demographic differences. The local ocean environment and population were reported to be the most influenced by signature whistle variation. When the sea bottom was muddy, signature whistles in areas with seagrass were shorter and higher pitched. In small populations, signature whistles had more changes in pitch than larger populations.

The region and genetic variation had no influence on whistles. The authors suggest that the findings support the hypothesis that bottlenose dolphins develop signature whistles.

More information: Gabriella La Manna, Determinants of variability in signature whistles of the Mediterranean common bottlenose dolphin, Scientific Reports (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10920-7. www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-10920-7 Journal information: Scientific Reports Citation: Local environment and population demographics, not genetics, influence bottlenose dolphin 'names' (2022, May 26) retrieved 26 May 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-05-local-environment-population-demographics-genetics.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.