title: Whistle characteristics of the spinner dolphin population in the Comoros Archipelago.
abstract: Observed variations in dolphin acoustic signals may be associated with behavior, social composition, and local differences in habitat features. This study aims at characterizing whistles emitted by the spinner dolphin population occurring in the waters of the main island of the Archipelago of Comoros (Mozambique Channel, Indian Ocean) and to assess factors possibly influencing the acoustic structure of signals. All parameters examined on 953 whistles significantly differed in relation to environmental conditions, group size, and behavior. By mixed model analysis, it was found that only habitat characteristics play a role in the variation of frequency parameters, and exerted on the acoustic structure of whistles stronger influence than socio-behavioral factors. Spinner dolphins occurring in the Comoros archipelago use higher frequencies and show longer signal duration compared to those from the Pacific and the Atlantic. Results suggest that frequency parameters are distinctive of the local population and reflect the habitat use of the species in the area. In conclusion, acoustic measurements may be crucial elements to be included in monitoring programs to identify local peculiarities of dolphins' populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonato
authors.affiliation: Bioacoustics Lab, IAMC Capo Granitola, National Research Council, Via del Mare 3, 91021 Torretta Granitola, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papale
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pingitore
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ricca
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Comoros, rue de la Corniche BP, 2585, Moroni, Union of Comoros.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Attoumane
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Comoros, rue de la Corniche BP, 2585, Moroni, Union of Comoros.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ouledi
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giacoma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D017753:Ecosystem; D019156:Indian Ocean; D011156:Population Density; D013018:Sound Spectrography; D013045:Species Specificity; D050706:Stenella / Q000502:physiology*; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D014872:Water Movements; D014919:Wind