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Cusano DA, Wiley D, Zeh JM, Kerr I, Pensarosa A, Zadra C, Shorter KA, Parks SE. Acoustic recording tags provide insight into the springtime acoustic behavior of sei whales in Massachusetts Bay. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 154:3543-3555. [PMID: 38038616 DOI: 10.1121/10.0022570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
The acoustic ecology of sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) is poorly understood due to limited direct observation of the behavioral context of sound production and individual behavior. Suction cup-attached acoustic recording tags were deployed on sei whales to unambiguously assign call types and explore the acoustic behavior of this endangered species. Twelve tag deployments resulted in ∼173 h of acoustic data and 1030 calls. Sound types included downsweeps and three previously undescribed call types. Knocks were short duration (<1 s), with an average peak frequency of 330 Hz. Pulse type 1 and pulse type 2 calls, typically produced in sequences, were short in duration (0.08 and 0.28 s) and low in average peak frequency (50 and 26 Hz), with relatively high received levels. Average call rates for all call types combined were three calls per hour, but increased during twilight. Sex differences in call type usage included a higher use of pulses by females and knocks by males. Calls were almost exclusively produced at depths <10 m, although whales rarely dove deeper in this study. These data provide a more comprehensive picture of the acoustic and behavioral ecology of sei whales than previously possible, which can inform future conservation efforts for this endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana A Cusano
- National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA
| | - David Wiley
- Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Scituate, Massachusetts 02066, USA
| | - Julia M Zeh
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, USA
| | - Iain Kerr
- Ocean Alliance, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930, USA
| | | | - Chris Zadra
- Ocean Alliance, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930, USA
| | - K Alex Shorter
- Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Susan E Parks
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, USA
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Rycyk A, Bolaji DA, Factheu C, Kamla Takoukam A. Using transfer learning with a convolutional neural network to detect African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) vocalizations. JASA EXPRESS LETTERS 2022; 2:121201. [PMID: 36586963 DOI: 10.1121/10.0016543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
African manatees (Trichechus senegalensis) are vulnerable, understudied, and difficult to detect. Areas where African manatees are found were acoustically sampled and deep learning techniques were used to develop the first African manatee vocalization detector. A transfer learning approach was used to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) using a pretrained CNN (GoogLeNet). The network was highly successful, even when applied to recordings collected from a different location. Vocal detections were more common at night and tended to occur within less than 2 min of one another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athena Rycyk
- New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida 34243, USA
| | | | - Clinton Factheu
- African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization, Yaoundé, Centre Region, , , ,
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Myers HJ, Olsen DW, Matkin CO, Horstmann LA, Konar B. Passive acoustic monitoring of killer whales (Orcinus orca) reveals year-round distribution and residency patterns in the Gulf of Alaska. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20284. [PMID: 34645878 PMCID: PMC8514554 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99668-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are top predators throughout the world's oceans. In the North Pacific, the species is divided into three ecotypes-resident (fish-eating), transient (mammal-eating), and offshore (largely shark-eating)-that are genetically and acoustically distinct and have unique roles in the marine ecosystem. In this study, we examined the year-round distribution of killer whales in the northern Gulf of Alaska from 2016 to 2020 using passive acoustic monitoring. We further described the daily acoustic residency patterns of three killer whale populations (southern Alaska residents, Gulf of Alaska transients, and AT1 transients) for one year of these data. Highest year-round acoustic presence occurred in Montague Strait, with strong seasonal patterns in Hinchinbrook Entrance and Resurrection Bay. Daily acoustic residency times for the southern Alaska residents paralleled seasonal distribution patterns. The majority of Gulf of Alaska transient detections occurred in Hinchinbrook Entrance in spring. The depleted AT1 transient killer whale population was most often identified in Montague Strait. Passive acoustic monitoring revealed that both resident and transient killer whales used these areas much more extensively than previously known and provided novel insights into high use locations and times for each population. These results may be driven by seasonal foraging opportunities and social factors and have management implications for this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J Myers
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2150 Koyukuk Dr., Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA.
| | - Daniel W Olsen
- North Gulf Oceanic Society, 3430 Main St., Suite B1, Homer, AK, 99603, USA
| | - Craig O Matkin
- North Gulf Oceanic Society, 3430 Main St., Suite B1, Homer, AK, 99603, USA
| | - Lara A Horstmann
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2150 Koyukuk Dr., Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Brenda Konar
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2150 Koyukuk Dr., Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
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Rycyk AM, Factheu C, Ramos EA, Brady BA, Kikuchi M, Nations HF, Kapfer K, Hampton CM, Garcia ER, Takoukam Kamla A. First characterization of vocalizations and passive acoustic monitoring of the vulnerable African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 150:3028. [PMID: 34717514 DOI: 10.1121/10.0006734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Even among the understudied sirenians, African manatees (Trichechus senegalensis) are a poorly understood, elusive, and vulnerable species that is difficult to detect. We used passive acoustic monitoring in the first effort to acoustically detect African manatees and provide the first characterization of their vocalizations. Within two 3-day periods at Lake Ossa, Cameroon, at least 3367 individual African manatee vocalizations were detected such that most vocalizations were detected in the middle of the night and at dusk. Call characteristics such as fundamental frequency, duration, harmonics, subharmonics, and emphasized band were characterized for 289 high-quality tonal vocalizations with a minimum signal-to-noise ratio of 4.5 dB. African manatee vocalizations have a fundamental frequency of 4.65 ± 0.700 kHz (mean ± SD), duration of 0.181 ± 0.069 s, 97% contained harmonics, 21% contained subharmonics, and 27% had an emphasized band other than the fundamental frequency. Altogether, the structure of African manatee vocalizations is similar to other manatee species. We suggest utilizing passive acoustic monitoring to fill in the gaps in understanding the distribution and biology of African manatees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athena M Rycyk
- Division of Natural Sciences, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida 34243, USA
| | - Clinton Factheu
- Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, University of Yaounde I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Eric A Ramos
- Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad (FINS), Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Beth A Brady
- Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida 34236, USA
| | - Mumi Kikuchi
- Japan Manatee Education and Study Lab, Tokyo, JP 1040041, Japan
| | - Hannah F Nations
- Division of Natural Sciences, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida 34243, USA
| | - Karianne Kapfer
- Division of Natural Sciences, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida 34243, USA
| | - Cecilia M Hampton
- Division of Natural Sciences, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida 34243, USA
| | - Emily R Garcia
- Division of Natural Sciences, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida 34243, USA
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Romagosa M, Pérez-Jorge S, Cascão I, Mouriño H, Lehodey P, Pereira A, Marques TA, Matias L, Silva MA. Food talk: 40-Hz fin whale calls are associated with prey biomass. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211156. [PMID: 34229495 PMCID: PMC8261222 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals use varied acoustic signals that play critical roles in their lives. Understanding the function of these signals may inform about key life-history processes relevant for conservation. In the case of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), that produce different call types associated with different behaviours, several hypotheses have emerged regarding call function, but the topic still remains in its infancy. Here, we investigate the potential function of two fin whale vocalizations, the song-forming 20-Hz call and the 40-Hz call, by examining their production in relation to season, year and prey biomass. Our results showed that the production of 20-Hz calls was strongly influenced by season, with a clear peak during the breeding months, and secondarily by year, likely due to changes in whale abundance. These results support the reproductive function of the 20-Hz song used as an acoustic display. Conversely, season and year had no effect on variation in 40-Hz calling rates, but prey biomass did. This is the first study linking 40-Hz call activity to prey biomass, supporting the previously suggested food-associated function of this call. Understanding the functions of animal signals can help identifying functional habitats and predict the negative effects of human activities with important implications for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Romagosa
- Okeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores & IMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, Portugal
| | - Sergi Pérez-Jorge
- Okeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores & IMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, Portugal
| | - Irma Cascão
- Okeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores & IMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, Portugal
| | - Helena Mouriño
- Centro de Matemática, Aplicações Fundamentais e Investigação Operacional, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Patrick Lehodey
- Collecte Localisation Satellite (CLS), Ramonville St Agne, France
| | - Andreia Pereira
- Instituto Dom Luiz (IDL), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago A. Marques
- Centro de Estatística e Aplicações, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Luís Matias
- Instituto Dom Luiz (IDL), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mónica A. Silva
- Okeanos – Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar, Universidade dos Açores & IMAR – Instituto do Mar, Horta, Portugal
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Lydersen C, Vacquié-Garcia J, Heide-Jørgensen MP, Øien N, Guinet C, Kovacs KM. Autumn movements of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) from Svalbard, Norway, revealed by satellite tracking. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16966. [PMID: 33046805 PMCID: PMC7550606 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73996-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Insight into animal movements is essential for understanding habitat use by individuals as well as population processes and species life-history strategies. In this study, we instrumented 25 fin whales with ARGOS satellite-transmitters in Svalbard, Norway, to study their movement patterns and behaviour (Area Restricted Search (ARS), transiting or unknown) during boreal autumn/early winter. Ten of the whales stayed in the tagging area (most northerly location: 81.68°N) for their entire tracking periods (max 45 days). The other 15 whales moved in a south-westerly direction; the longest track ended off the coast of northern Africa (> 5000 km from the tagging location) after 96 days. The whales engaged in ARS behaviour intermittently throughout their southward migrations. During transit phases the whales moved quickly; one individual maintained an average horizontal speed of 9.3 km/h (travelling 223 km per day) for a period of a week. This study documents that: (1) some fin whales might remain at high latitudes during winter; (2) the whales that do migrate probably feed along the way; (3) they can maintain high transiting speed for long periods and; (4) one breeding area for this species is likely located in deep, warm water some 100 km west of Morocco.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jade Vacquié-Garcia
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsö, Norway
- CNRS, UMR CNRS - La Rochelle University, 7372, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | | | - Nils Øien
- Institute of Marine Research, Nordnes, P.O. Box 1870, 5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Christophe Guinet
- CNRS, UMR CNRS - La Rochelle University, 7372, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Kit M Kovacs
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsö, Norway
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