Echolocation parameters of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in the wild

M. de Freitas; F.H. Jensen; J.A. Tyne; L. Bejder; P.T. Madsen

doi:10.1121/1.4921277

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Echolocation parameters of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in the wild

M. de Freitas, F.H. Jensen, J.A. Tyne, L. Bejder and P.T. Madsen

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Vol.137(6), pp.3033-3041

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1121/1.4921277

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Abstract

Echolocation is a key sensory modality for toothed whale orientation, navigation, and foraging. However, a more comparative understanding of the biosonar properties of toothed whales is necessary to understand behavioral and evolutionary adaptions. To address this, two free-ranging sympatric delphinid species, Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), were studied. Biosonar clicks from both species were recorded within the same stretch of coastal habitat in Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia, using a vertical seven element hydrophone array. S. sahulensis used biosonar clicks with a mean source level of 199?±?3?dB re 1?μPa peak-peak (pp), mean centroid frequency of 106?±?11 kHz, and emitted at interclick intervals (ICIs) of 79?±?33?ms. These parameters were similar to click parameters of sympatric T. aduncus, characterized by mean source levels of 204?±?4?dB re 1?μPa pp, centroid frequency of 112?±?9 kHz, and ICIs of 73?±?29?ms. These properties are comparable to those of other similar sized delphinids and suggest that biosonar parameters are independent of sympatric delphinids and possibly driven by body size. The dynamic biosonar behavior of these delphinids may have, consequently, allowed for adaptations to local environments through high levels of control over sonar beam properties.

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Title: Echolocation parameters of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in the wild
Authors/Creators: M. de Freitas (Author/Creator) - Aarhus University
F.H. Jensen (Author/Creator) - Princeton University
J.A. Tyne (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
L. Bejder (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
P.T. Madsen (Author/Creator) - Aarhus University
Publication Details: The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Vol.137(6), pp.3033-3041
Publisher: Acoustical Society of America
Identifiers: 991005543798007891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology; 3.35.796 Marine Mammal Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Acoustics; Audiology & Speech-language Pathology
ESI research areas: Physics