Two new theoretical roles of the laryngeal sac of humpback whales

Gandilhon, Nadège; Adam, Olivier; Cazau, Dorian; Laitman, Jeffery T.; Reidenberg, Joy S.

doi:10.1111/mms.12187

Cited by 13 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“… 4 μPa at 1 m) for humpback whales 31 52 , we set a nominal subglottal pressure P s of 10000 Pa, and a maximal one of 18000 Pa. It is noteworthy that this dynamic pressure for vocalizations should add to the more static internal pressure in the overall respiratory system, which ensures an independent physiological control of its organs from the depth-dependent ambient pressure 53 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A study of vocal nonlinearities in humpback whale songs: from production mechanisms to acoustic analysis

Cazau¹,

Adam²,

Aubin³

et al. 2016

Sci Rep

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Although mammalian vocalizations are predominantly harmonically structured, they can exhibit an acoustic complexity with nonlinear vocal sounds, including deterministic chaos and frequency jumps. Such sounds are normative events in mammalian vocalizations, and can be directly traceable to the nonlinear nature of vocal-fold dynamics underlying typical mammalian sound production. In this study, we give qualitative descriptions and quantitative analyses of nonlinearities in the song repertoire of humpback whales from the Ste Marie channel (Madagascar) to provide more insight into the potential communication functions and underlying production mechanisms of these features. A low-dimensional biomechanical modeling of the whale’s U-fold (vocal folds homolog) is used to relate specific vocal mechanisms to nonlinear vocal features. Recordings of living humpback whales were searched for occurrences of vocal nonlinearities (instabilities). Temporal distributions of nonlinearities were assessed within sound units, and between different songs. The anatomical production sources of vocal nonlinearities and the communication context of their occurrences in recordings are discussed. Our results show that vocal nonlinearities may be a communication strategy that conveys information about the whale’s body size and physical fitness, and thus may be an important component of humpback whale songs.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A study of vocal nonlinearities in humpback whale songs: from production mechanisms to acoustic analysis

Cazau¹,

Adam²,

Aubin³

et al. 2016

Sci Rep

Self Cite

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“…The larynx acts as a valve for breathing and has been established as the sound-producing organ in rorquals. Sound production requires movement of the laryngeal cartilages and inflation/deflation of the laryngeal sac (Aroyan et al, 2000;Damien et al, 2019;Gandilhon et al, 2015;Laitman, 2007, 2008). These movements can isolate portions of the respiratory tract.…”

Section: At Depthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…functionally separated into two sectionsthe lungs and trachea form one section, and the laryngeal sac, larynx and nasal cavities form another (Damien et al, 2019;Gandilhon et al, 2015). The laryngeal sac can also be pushed upward and into the caudal portion of the larynx and rostral portion of the trachea, and this physically separates the URT and LRT (Reidenberg and Laitman, 2008).…”

Section: At Depthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rorqual whale nasal plugs: protecting the respiratory tract against water entry and barotrauma

Gil

Lillie

Vogl

et al. 2020

Journal of Experimental Biology

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The upper respiratory tract of rorquals, lunge-feeding baleen whales, must be protected against water incursion and the risk of barotrauma at depth, where air-filled spaces like the bony nasal cavities may experience high adverse pressure gradients. We hypothesize these two disparate tasks are accomplished by paired cylindrical nasal plugs that attach on the rostrum and deep inside the nasal cavity. Here, we present evidence that the large size and deep attachment of the plugs is a compromise, allowing them to block the nasal cavities to prevent water entry while also facilitating pressure equilibration between the nasal cavities and ambient hydrostatic pressure (P amb) at depth. We investigated nasal plug behaviour using videos of rorquals surfacing, plug morphology from dissections, histology and MRI scans, and plug function by mathematically modelling nasal pressures at depth. We found each nasal plug has three structurally distinct regions: a muscular rostral region, a predominantly fatty mid-section and an elastic tendon that attaches the plug caudally. We propose muscle contraction while surfacing pulls the fatty sections rostrally, opening the nasal cavities to air, while the elastic tendons snap the plugs back into place, sealing the cavities after breathing. At depth, we propose P amb pushes the fatty region deeper into the nasal cavities, decreasing air volume by about half and equilibrating nasal cavity to P amb , preventing barotrauma. The nasal plugs are a unique innovation in rorquals, which demonstrate their importance and novelty during diving, where pressure becomes as important an issue as the danger of water entry.

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“…Mysticete laryngeal anatomy indicates an organ with multiple functions including airflow regulation and sound generation (Reidenberg and Laitman, 2007;Schoenfuss et al 2014;Gandilhon et al 2014). Mysticetes have a larynx but lack vocal cords.…”

Section: Sound Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sound Production for Communication, Echolocation, and Prey Capture

Berta

2015

Marine Mammals

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Two new theoretical roles of the laryngeal sac of humpback whales

Cited by 13 publications

References 9 publications

A study of vocal nonlinearities in humpback whale songs: from production mechanisms to acoustic analysis

A study of vocal nonlinearities in humpback whale songs: from production mechanisms to acoustic analysis

Rorqual whale nasal plugs: protecting the respiratory tract against water entry and barotrauma

Sound Production for Communication, Echolocation, and Prey Capture

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