Time patterns of sperm whale codas recorded in the Mediterranean Sea 1985-1996

摘要: A distinctive vocalization of the sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus (=P. catodon), is coda: a short click sequence with stereotyped time pattern [Watkins and Schevill, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 62, 1485–1490 ()]. Coda repertoires have been found to vary both geographically group affiliation [Weilgart Whitehead, Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 40, 277–285 In this work, timings repetition patterns whale codas recorded in Mediterranean Sea are characterized statistically, context which occurred also taken into consideration. total 138 were central years 1985–1996 by several research groups using number different detection instruments, including stationary towed hydrophones, sonobuoys passive sonars. Nearly all (134) share same “3+1” (/// /) pattern. durations ranged from 456 1280 ms, an average duration 908 ms standard deviation 176 ms. Most (a 117) belonged 20 coda series. Each series was produced individual, most cases mature male small group, consisted between 2 16 codas, emitted one or more “bursts” 1 13 spaced fairly regularly time. The mean burst 3.46, 2.65. interval ratios within parameterized first two interclick intervals normalized duration. These three parameters remained highly stable each series, coefficients variation averaging less than 5%. varied somewhat across data sets, but over 8 11 span widely dispersed geographic locations. Somewhat observed other sets; these variant young whale. Two sets presumed 1996 had 5- 6-click patterns; observation new suggests that may variations previously believed.