Acoustic behavior of melon-headed whales varies on a diel cycle.

ABSTRACT: Many terrestrial and marine species have a diel activity pattern, and their acoustic signaling follows their current behavioral state. Whistles and echolocation clicks on long-term recordings produced by melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) at Palmyra Atoll indicated that these signals were used selectively during different phases of the day, strengthening the idea of nighttime foraging and daytime resting with afternoon socializing for this species. Spectral features of their echolocation clicks changed from day to night, shifting the median center frequency up. Additionally, click received levels increased with increasing ambient noise during both day and night. Ambient noise over a wide frequency band was on average higher at night. The diel adjustment of click features mi

SUBMITTER: Baumann-Pickering S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4534505 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature