The vocal behaviour of mammal-eating killer whales: communicating with costly calls

Deecke, Volker B.; Ford, John K. B.; Slater, Peter J.

doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2004.04.014

Cited by 196 publications

(214 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Ecotypes may also exhibit differences in social structure, morphology, behavior and vocal signatures (see for review de Bruyn et al (2013)). In the North Pacific, the resident and transient ecotypes occupy largely sympatric distribution ranges (Ford et al, 2000), but specialize on very different prey resources (fish and marine mammals, respectively; Ford et al, 1998;Krahn et al, 2007), are genetically differentiated (Hoelzel et al, 1998(Hoelzel et al, , 2002(Hoelzel et al, , 2007, and exhibit different social organization (Ford et al, 2000), mating systems (Pilot et al, 2010) and vocal behavior (Yurk et al, 2002;Deecke et al, 2005). Less is known about the 'offshore' ecotype, however, our data indicate that we need to consider their differentiation in sympatry as well.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogenomics of the killer whale indicates ecotype divergence in sympatry

et al. 2014

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For many highly mobile species, the marine environment presents few obvious barriers to gene flow. Even so, there is considerable diversity within and among species, referred to by some as the 'marine speciation paradox'. The recent and diverse radiation of delphinid cetaceans (dolphins) represents a good example of this. Delphinids are capable of extensive dispersion and yet many show fine-scale genetic differentiation among populations. Proposed mechanisms include the division and isolation of populations based on habitat dependence and resource specializations, and habitat release or changing dispersal corridors during glacial cycles. Here we use a phylogenomic approach to investigate the origin of differentiated sympatric populations of killer whales (Orcinus orca). Killer whales show strong specialization on prey choice in populations of stable matrifocal social groups (ecotypes), associated with genetic and phenotypic differentiation. Our data suggest evolution in sympatry among populations of resource specialists.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylogenomics of the killer whale indicates ecotype divergence in sympatry

et al. 2014

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“…Such a relationship might be strongly expected, owing to the costs associated with vocal communication (reviewed by Bradbury & Vehrencamp 1998). Production of vocal signals can be costly, for example, owing to the energetic demands of production (Ward et al 2003), because these signals increase conspicuousness to predators (Ryan et al 1982) or because they alert potential prey (Deecke et al 2005). Other things being equal, shorter calls will be associated with reduced costs of each of these kinds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficiency of coding in macaque vocal communication

2010

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A key characteristic of human language efficiency is that more frequently used words tend to be shorter in length-the 'law of brevity'. To date, no test of this relationship between frequency of use and length has been carried out on non-human animal vocal communication. We show here that the vocal repertoire of the Formosan macaque (Macaca cyclopis) conforms to the pattern predicted by the law of brevity, with an inverse relationship found between call duration and rate of utterance. This finding provides evidence for coding efficiency in the vocal communication system of this species, and indicates commonality in the basic structure of the coding system between human language and vocal communication in this non-human primate.

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“…Avoiding predation has been a central theme for the evolution of sociality in animals and hominids (Alexander 1974;Waterman 1997;Goldspink et al 2002;Alcock 2005;Deecke et al 2005;Hart and Sussman 2009). Across animal orders, there is evidence of both morphological and behavioural anti-predator adaptations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The anti-predator behaviour of wild white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar)

Clarke

Reichard²,

Zuberbühler

2011

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

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Predation on gibbons is rarely observed in the wild. However, the gibbons' moderate body size and relatively small social groups suggest high vulnerability to predation. To assess the role of predation and to study their anti-predator behaviour, we presented visual predator models to nine groups of wild white-handed gibbons at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. We measured subjects' immediate and delayed responses to four potential predators: tiger, clouded leopard, crested serpent eagle and reticulated python. Subjects reliably approached all four predators. In response to tigers and leopards, they additionally produced predator-specific songs and defecated copiously. In terms of delayed responses, distance between mated adults decreased, but only after exposure to the tiger model. In response to eagles and pythons, gibbons consistently vocalised, but this did not always include predator singing, and we found no long-term effects in overall activity or strata use. However, during 6 of 26 predator encounters, the gibbons produced songs with a structure that was intermediate between a duet song and a predator song more than 20 min after the predator encounter, indicating a long-term effect on their vocal behaviour. This study demonstrates that gibbons discriminate between different potential predators and respond to them with adaptive anti-predator behaviour, which include predator-specific vocal responses. We conclude that gibbons are not immune to predation and that terrestrial predators elicit consistent immediate and delayed anti-predation responses.

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The vocal behaviour of mammal-eating killer whales: communicating with costly calls

Cited by 196 publications

References 39 publications

Phylogenomics of the killer whale indicates ecotype divergence in sympatry

Phylogenomics of the killer whale indicates ecotype divergence in sympatry

Efficiency of coding in macaque vocal communication

The anti-predator behaviour of wild white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar)

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