407
© Springer International Publishing AG 2018
M.R. Rossi-Santos, C.W. Finkl (eds.), Advances in Marine Vertebrate Research
in Latin America, Coastal Research Library 22,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-56985-7_15
Chapter 15
The Spreading Message in a Noisy World:
Song Behavior and Acoustic Ecology
in Humpback Whales (Megaptera
novaeangliae), from the Southwestern Atlantic
Ocean
Marcos R. Rossi-Santos
Abstract In this chapter, the song behavior and acoustic ecology of humpback
whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Brazilian breeding ground are documented,
between 2005 and 2010 (July to October). Behavioral and ecological aspects such
as group composition, spatial distribution, depth, tides and moon were analyzed,
through boat surveys. We sighted 370 whale groups in 123 days, during a total of
912 h of sampling effort. In 36 days, 29% of the groups (n = 44; 82 individuals)
were identified containing at least one singer male. Such groups were sighted along
all the study area, mostly like alone individuals (n = 21 groups, 48%), followed by
groups with two (n = 8; 18%), three (n = 3, 7%), four (n = 2, 4, 5%) individuals and
also groups with female-calf pairs with one escort male (n = 4, 9%) or female-calf
pairs plus two males (n = 1, 2%). Groups with singer males were sighted in a depth
range of 16 and 173 m (mean = 54,6 ± 34,2 SD). The narrow continental shelf associated with the coastal distribution of the whales in the study area may influence in
the group compositions containing singer males. So on, this work bring for the first
time an ecological perspective of this recognized important singing behavior in this
species, and also show the expansion of the acoustic activity, during the Brazilian
breeding season, going far beyond the core area of Abrolhos Bank. Understanding
the acoustic ecology of humpback whales, in which the song is performed, is crucial
to provide insights into conservation measurements aiming to protect marine vertebrate and their habitat.
M.R. Rossi-Santos (*)
Instituto Baleia Jubarte, Salvador, Brazil
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
Laboratório de Ecologia Acústica e Comportamento Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias,
Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia,
Rua Rui Barbosa, 710, Centro, 43800-000 Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil
e-mail: marcos.rossi@ufrb.edu.br
© Springer International Publishing AG 2018
M.R. Rossi-Santos, C.W. Finkl (eds.), Advances in Marine Vertebrate Research
in Latin America, Coastal Research Library 22,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-56985-7_15
Chapter 15
The Spreading Message in a Noisy World:
Song Behavior and Acoustic Ecology
in Humpback Whales (Megaptera
novaeangliae), from the Southwestern Atlantic
Ocean
Marcos R. Rossi-Santos
Abstract In this chapter, the song behavior and acoustic ecology of humpback
whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Brazilian breeding ground are documented,
between 2005 and 2010 (July to October). Behavioral and ecological aspects such
as group composition, spatial distribution, depth, tides and moon were analyzed,
through boat surveys. We sighted 370 whale groups in 123 days, during a total of
912 h of sampling effort. In 36 days, 29% of the groups (n = 44; 82 individuals)
were identified containing at least one singer male. Such groups were sighted along
all the study area, mostly like alone individuals (n = 21 groups, 48%), followed by
groups with two (n = 8; 18%), three (n = 3, 7%), four (n = 2, 4, 5%) individuals and
also groups with female-calf pairs with one escort male (n = 4, 9%) or female-calf
pairs plus two males (n = 1, 2%). Groups with singer males were sighted in a depth
range of 16 and 173 m (mean = 54,6 ± 34,2 SD). The narrow continental shelf associated with the coastal distribution of the whales in the study area may influence in
the group compositions containing singer males. So on, this work bring for the first
time an ecological perspective of this recognized important singing behavior in this
species, and also show the expansion of the acoustic activity, during the Brazilian
breeding season, going far beyond the core area of Abrolhos Bank. Understanding
the acoustic ecology of humpback whales, in which the song is performed, is crucial
to provide insights into conservation measurements aiming to protect marine vertebrate and their habitat.
M.R. Rossi-Santos (*)
Instituto Baleia Jubarte, Salvador, Brazil
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
Laboratório de Ecologia Acústica e Comportamento Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias,
Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia,
Rua Rui Barbosa, 710, Centro, 43800-000 Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil
e-mail: marcos.rossi@ufrb.edu.br