| Advisor: | Christopher Clark |  |
Start Date: |
Fall 2001 |
My interests are strongly rooted in bioacoustics, particularly marine mammal communication. Currently, my research focuses on the function of song in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). This species has been studied intensively for decades, and male breeding behavior has been relatively well documented. Males participate in several alternative mating tactics to gain access to females during the mating season, including the production of a long, elaborate song. Song is unusual among mammals, and humpback song is particularly unique because males continuously change their song throughout the breeding season. The complexity in song structure suggests the influence of strong sexual selection.
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I am evaluating a series of hypotheses related to whether male song functions to attract females or establish hierarchies between males. I conduct my field research on Isla Socorro, Mexico. My study is multi-faceted; it involves the use of extensive photographic identification work, acoustic recording, and genetic analysis. For the past three years, I have deployed an array of autonomous underwater recording devices (“popups”) that have allowed me to continuously record singing males for weeks at a time. I have also conducted land and boat-based observations of the movements and behavior of females within my acoustic array. By coupling these and other data, I am evaluating the movements of females and their associations with other whales relative to the distribution of singing males. I am also evaluating whether males are changing their song and movement patterns in response to one another.
Detailed behavioral work of this level has been scarce in baleen whales due to a number of logistical constraints. Understanding communication in the marine environment is extremely important in an era of increasing oceanic noise, and results from this study will contribute to our understanding of the role of acoustic communication in humpback whales.