Bottlenose dolphins change their whistling characteristics in relation to vessel presence, surface behavior and group composition

• DOI: 10.1121/2.0000312
• Publication Date: 2017-01-11T18:00:14Z
• Authors: Tess Gridley; Simon H. Elwen; Gemma Rashley; Anja Badenas Krak...; Julia Heiler
• Keywords: Bottlenose dolphin; Cetacea

Cetacean watching from tour boats has increased in recent years. However, short- and long-term impacts of this industry on the behavior energetic expenditure cetaceans have been documented. Although multiple studies investigated acoustic response dolphins to marine tourism, there are several covariates that could also explain some these results should be considered simultaneously. Here, we whether common bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, inhabiting Walvis Bay, Namibia vary their whistle relation boat presence, surface and/or group composition. We detected an upward shift up 1.99 kHz frequency parameters when were presence one or more research vessel. No changes demonstrated range, number inflection points duration whistles. Whistle occurrence production rates present. High natural variation was over varying behavioral states Anthropogenic impact form can influence vocal such a if they reduce communication range whistles increase energy expenditure.