Date of Award
2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Harley, Heidi
Area of Concentration
Biopsychology
Abstract
Dolphins produce frequency-modulated whistles with harmonic components, and these harmonics may have important implications for providing directional cues to other dolphins about a whistler's position. This study measured the active space- how far the whistles travel- of the harmonics of dolphin whistles in Sarasota Bay, FL, using an underwater transducer to play four different dolphin whistles (10-30 kHz). A hydrophone received the signals at fixed distances at three different depths (.46 m., .91 m., and 1.37 m.), up to 240 m from the speaker to measure received levels of all harmonics across different contexts. It was found that the active space varied depending upon the whistle and the strength of the whistle. The largest active space recorded was 240 m. Absorption rates for all four whistles were highest within the first 50 meters. Understanding the active space for dolphins is important because anthropogenic sound sources have been increasing in the ocean, and this noise can diminish the dolphin's active space.
Recommended Citation
DeWind, Christianna St. John, "HOW FAR DOES A WHISTLE TRAVEL? THE ESTIMATED ACTIVE SPACE OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (Tursiops truncatus) WHISTLE HARMONICS IN SARASOTA BAY, FLORIDA" (2018). Theses & ETDs. 5505.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5505