Fine-scale song exchange in two neighbouring populations of humpback whales

Abstract

AM contributed to the development of the methodology, assisted with interpretation of results, and edited the final manuscript; RAD provided extensive raw song data, assisted with interpretation of results, and edited the final manuscript; ECG contributed to the development of the research concept, assisted with interpretation of results, and edited the final manuscript; MJN provided extensive raw song data, contributed to the development of the research concept and methodology, assisted with interpretation of results, and edited the final manuscript; JA contributed to the development of the research concept and methodology, transcribed all song recording, undertook data analysis and interpretation, and was responsible for the final manuscript. Chapter 3: Temporal changes in humpback whale song complexity suggests a limit to social learning capacity. Contributions by Jennifer Allen, Ellen C. Garland, Rebecca A. Dunlop, and Michael J. Noad.-RAD provided extensive raw song data, assisted with interpretation of results, and edited the final manuscript; ECG contributed to the development of the research concept and methodology, assisted with interpretation of results, and edited the final manuscript; MJN provided extensive raw song data, contributed to the development of the research concept and methodology, assisted with interpretation of results, and edited the final manuscript; JA contributed to the development of the research concept, transcribed all song recordings, developed methodology, undertook data analysis and interpretation, and was responsible for the final manuscript. Chapter 4: Network analysis reveals underlying syntactic features in a mammalian vocal learning display, humpback whale song. Contributions by Jennifer Allen, Ellen C. Garland, Rebecca A. Dunlop, and Michael J. Noad.-RAD provided extensive raw song data, assisted with interpretation of results, and edited the final manuscript; ECG contributed to the development of the research concept, provided guidance on data analysis, assisted with interpretation of results, and edited the final manuscript; MJN provided extensive raw song data, contributed to the development of the research concept, assisted with interpretation of results, and edited the final manuscript; JA contributed to the development of the research concept, transcribed all song recordings, developed methodology, undertook data analysis and interpretation, and was responsible for the final manuscript. viii Chapter 5 : Did you get that? Fine-scale analysis of humpback whale song between neighbouring populations reveals insights into cultural learning mechanisms. Contributions by Jennifer Allen,

Cultural revolutions reduce complexity in the songs of humpback whales

“…This would result in the transfer of only part of the full diversity of Western Australian songs to eastern Australia. This seems unlikely, however, as research suggests equal variation in song both within and between individuals [28,41]. Future research should compare song complexity between analogous songs in east and west Australia to determine which of the proposed explanations is most probable.…”