25 / 80
Research Demonstration II – Bioacoustic studies in
manatees
Dr. Kurt Hammerschmidt & Dr. Lorenzo von Fersen
Determining population size is one main priority, when the
conservation status of animal species has to de defined. Regarding
marine mammals this can be quite arduous because of their aquatic
way of life. Recently new research methods based on bioacoustics
data provided useful information about distribution and habitat use,
but also about population size of dolphins. One distinctive feature
of dolphin vocalizations is the presence of individually distinctive
signature whistles. It was shown that each dolphin has its own
whistle that persists for his whole life, conveying him a signature
characteristic. This special property can be used for example when
the approximate number of individuals that habit a certain bay
has to be defined. In counting the number of different signature
whistles recorded over a certain period of time, it might be possible
to infer the size of the population. It has been suggested that also
manatees produce signature whistles. However it is still unknown
how persistent over time these whistles are. A research project
in cooperation with Dr. Kurt Hammerschmidt from the German
Primate Center (DPZ) is being carried out at Nuremberg Zoo in
order to find out, if the whistles of manatees do have a signature
characteristic. Measuring different acoustic variables it was shown
that each manatee has
his own distinctive call.
However it remains
unresolved if these calls
are stable enough over
time, conveying them a
dolphin like signature
distinctiveness.
Within the next couple
of months or years
calls from manatees
recorded in different zoos and at different periods of the year
will be compared in order to evaluate their stability over the time.
During the demonstration the technical equipment was presented
and recordings were analysed. This research project in a zoo is a
unique opportunity to conduct experiments that not only provide
information about the biology of the species but also can deliver
valuable data for their conservation.
Short description of practical research sessions |
25