STATISTICAL EVIDENCE FOR INDIVIDUAL SIGNATURE WHISTLES IN THE SPOTTED DOLPHIN, STENELLA PLAGIODON.

Abstract

Abstract : A total of 1580 whistles emitted by five spotted dolphins, Stenella plagiodon, from Florida were analyzed. Of these, 97.3% were classified as being the signature whistle of the individual studied. Statistics are included indicating a positive correlation between degree of variance from the mode in number of loops in the whistles and their variability in one other parameter; i.e., absence of the normal terminus for an individual dolphin's modal whistle. Although members of this species are regarded as having signature whistles, it was concluded that their whistles have fewer or less distinct differences between individuals and more minor variations within the whistles of one individual than do those of the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. (Author)