Bottlenose dolphins can use learned vocal labels to address each other

摘要: In animal communication research, vocal labeling refers to incidents in which an consistently uses a specific acoustic signal when presented with object or class of objects. Labeling learned signals is foundation human language but notably rare nonhuman systems. natural systems, often occurs that are not influenced by learning, such as alarm and food calling. There suggestion, however, some species use label conspecific individuals their own system mimicking individually distinctive calls. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) promising for exploration this area because they capable production learning can learn arbitrary report the presence absence develop unique identity signal, signature whistle. This whistle encodes individual independently voice features. The copying whistles may therefore allow animals address one another. Here, we show wild bottlenose respond hearing copy calling back. Animals did were signature. study provides compelling evidence dolphin’s used addressing conspecifics. appear be mammals labels different social companions system.