Sound production and associated behavior of tagged fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Southern California Bight

• DOI: 10.1186/s40317-015-0058-3
• Publication Date: 2015-07-28T12:37:09Z
• Authors: Alison K Stimpert; Stacy L DeRuiter; Erin A Falcone; John Joseph; Annie B Douglas; David J Moretti; Ari S Friedlaender; John Calambokidis; Glenn Gailey; Peter L Tyack; Jeremy A Goldbogen
• Keywords: Cetacea; Fin; Shoaling and schooling

For marine animals, acoustic communication is critical for many life functions, yet individual calling behavior poorly understood most large whale species. These topics are important understanding social and can also serve as a baseline behavioral studies assessing response to disturbance. Using new technique identifying the individual, we measured body orientation, dive behavior, surface in relation call production tagged fin whales Southern California. Behavioral metrics associated with elevated rates included shallow maximum depths (10–15 m), little movement, negative pitch moderate roll. Calling were more likely be traveling than milling, groups rather solitary, without change group size compared non-calling whales. first descriptions of posture at which call, some possible sound propagation and/or anatomical reasons these results considered. The characterizations presented here will help predicting from informing interpretation passive data, determining effects anthropogenic on