PhDâ€theses - Ethologische Gesellschaft
PhDâ€theses - Ethologische Gesellschaft
PhDâ€theses - Ethologische Gesellschaft
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Research Update<br />
VOCAL REPERTOIRE OF THE ORCAS (ORCINUS ORCA) IN THE LORO PARQUE, TENERIFE –<br />
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN THEIR VOCALIZATIONS<br />
Dorothee Kremers<br />
dorothee.kremers@googlemail.com<br />
Diploma thesis, supervised by Dr. Ralf Wanker, Biozentrum Grindel, University of Hamburg, Martin‐<br />
Luther‐King‐Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany<br />
In several mammalian species a complex vocal repertoire seems to be correlated with a<br />
complex social system. Orcas live in such a highly social system and use complex<br />
vocalizations. This study tested if orcas possess individual differences in their vocalizations<br />
that might indicate vocal individual recognition. The vocalizations of four orcas were for the<br />
first time recorded with reliable information about the sender’s identity. Within call types<br />
there were individual differences. Even the composition of the repertoire differed between<br />
individuals. The first evidence for individual specific vocalizations in orcas was found<br />
because three individuals produced individual specific calls. Furthermore, the yet untested<br />
assumption that call diversity in captive orcas could be decreased was tested. For that<br />
reason the vocalizations were compared with the vocalizations of free‐living orcas. The<br />
repertoire of the captive orcas included all types of vocalizations known from field studies.<br />
Some of the call types showed similarities with call types described for free‐living orcas. The<br />
results suggest that these individual specific calls might be used for individual recognition in<br />
this species and that the assumption of repertoire degeneration in captive orcas has to be<br />
reconsidered<br />
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