Boat traffic affects the acoustic behaviour of Pacific humpback dolphins, Sousa chinensis
In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press/Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: Cambridge. ISSN 0025-3154; e-ISSN 1469-7769, meer
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| Trefwoorden |
Behaviour > Vocalization behaviour
Communication > Animal communication
Man-induced effects
Sound > Noise (sound) > Ambient noise > Shipping noise
Sousa chinensis (Osbeck, 1765) [WoRMS]
Marien/Kust |
| Auteurs | | Top |
- Van Parijs, S.M.
- Corkeron, P.J.
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| Abstract |
In this study, the indirect (i.e. boats not involved in dolphin viewing activities) impacts of boat traffic on the acoustic behaviour of Pacific humpback dolphins, Sousa chinensis, were assessed in Moreton Bay, Australia. Humpback dolphin acoustic behaviour is affected by transiting boat traffic. Boats' passage did not affect the rates at which dolphins produced click trains and burst pulse vocalizations. However, dolphins significantly increased their rate of whistling immediately after a boat moved through the area. This increase occurred only when boats were less than 1.5 km from the groups. Groups including mother-calf pair showed an increase in whistles in response to boats' passage. Groups with no calves produced significantly fewer whistles. This evidence suggests that the noise from transiting vessels affects dolphins' group cohesion. Mother-calf pairs appear to be most disturbed by transiting vessels, and exhibit an increased need to re-establish vocal contact. |
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