We already heard of dolphin vocalizations and signature whistles. A new research suggests that dolphins might actually call each other by names.
In their latest study Stephanie King and fellow St. Andrews biologist Vincent Janik investigate a phenomenon they first described in 2006 bottlenose dolphins recognizing the signature whistles of other dolphins they know. Read the article and listen to amazing audio clips.
Is it ethical to kidnap one dolphin to save a whole pod?
Read the article about an unusual rescue strategy.
Knowing the outcome may help answer the question. Interesting read.
Evan Grant demonstrates the science and art of cymatics, a process for making soundwaves visible. Useful for analyzing complex sounds (like dolphin calls), it also makes complex and beautiful designs. Inspirational!
Read how dolphins use their clicks to find fish and how varying the amplitude of their clicks helps them to distinguish different objects. This techniques could help Human sonar operators to detect weak signals from sea mines in choppy, shallow waters.
How far will dolphins go to relate to humans? Interesting read about the work of Denise L. Herzing who will launch a dolphin communication project in Bimini, Bahamas. Her goal is real-time two-way communication, in which dolphins take the initiative to interact with humans.
Wild dolphins use specific melodies called signature whistles to introduce themselves when they come across new groups of dolphins, researchers have discovered.
‘These signature whistles are special, because they contain the dolphin’s identity in the modulation pattern, or tune if you like, which the dolphin invents,’ explains Dr Vincent Janik from the University of St Andrews, who led the study.
Another article about the same study is to be found on the SienceNow site. This one even provides some audio sample of signature whistles.