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Scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP) have made significant strides in understanding dolphin communication, revealing potential evidence that bottlenose dolphins use shared sounds akin to words. This groundbreaking study highlights the complexity of dolphin vocalizations, particularly focusing on non-signature whistles (NSWs), which have remained largely unexplored compared to the more commonly studied signature whistles (SWs).
For decades, researchers have known that dolphins employ SWs as individual identifiers, similar to names. However, this new research indicates that nearly half of dolphin vocalizations consist of NSWs, which are characterized by repetitive patterns that could serve as universal signals within dolphin communities. The study catalogued 22 distinct types of NSWs, with two specific whistles—designated as NSWA and NSWB—produced by groups of at least 25 and 35 dolphins, respectively.
To investigate the functions of these sounds, researchers utilized underwater digital tags and hydrophones to capture vocalizations from identified dolphins. Playback experiments in the wild revealed that the NSWA whistle tends to elicit avoidance responses, suggesting it may serve an alarm function. Conversely, the NSWB whistle appears to function as a query in response to unexpected stimuli, although dolphin reactions to this sound have been variable.
The findings indicate that these shared whistles may form the basis of a language-like communication system among dolphins. Given that dolphins are known for their lifelong vocal learning, the researchers propose that NSWs might also convey specific meanings understood by multiple dolphins. However, further research is necessary to confirm whether these whistles indeed represent a structured form of communication.
The study has garnered global recognition, earning the research team the inaugural Coller Dolittle Challenge prize, which acknowledges their efforts to bridge communication gaps between humans and animals. The researchers aim to leverage artificial intelligence to analyze their extensive dataset further and enhance understanding of dolphin communication.
This pioneering work reflects a growing scientific interest in the communication abilities of non-human species and underscores the importance of listening to the diverse life forms that inhabit our oceans.
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