The Metabolic Cost of Sound Production in Odontocete Cetaceans
Abstract
For the first year of this study (Phase 1), oxygen consumption was measured in two captive bottlenose dolphins during sound production of social signals and compared to resting metabolic rates (RMRs) and metabolic costs of other activities, such as performing surface active behaviors (SABs) and/or swimming. That phase of this work was completed in 2010. For the second year of this study (Phase 2, 2011), we aim to measure oxygen consumption in these individuals while they produce the same type of sounds, but at different levels and/or durations. This work is ongoing and will continue until the end of the calendar year 2011. These measurements will quantify the potential metabolic cost of vocal compensation as an anti-masking strategy in response to anthropogenic sound exposure. The metabolic cost of sound production is being measured in two captive male Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) maintained at Dr. Terrie Williams' Mammalian Physiology Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory. These individuals were trained by Traci Kendall (Program Manager/Research Training Supervisor) and Beau Richter (Head Trainer) to produce sounds on command while stationed under a metabolic hood to measure oxygen consumption. For Phase 2 of the study, the dolphins also have been trained to produce relatively higher and lower amplitude sounds of the same type on command using two different discriminative stimuli or cues (one for "loud" and one for "quiet"). The sounds of free-ranging Atlantic bottlenose dolphins have been described as clicks, whistles, buzzes, quacks, and pops (Jacobs et al. 1993). The trained sounds of the captive dolphins of the current study are representative of those found in wild, free-ranging populations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA599980
Entities
People
- Dawn P Noren
- Marla M. Holt
- Terrie M. Williams
Organizations
- National Marine Fisheries Service