Dear BIOACOUSTICS-L members,<br>
<br>
Reprints available of our paper:<br>
<br>
Sousa-Lima, R. S., Paglia, A.P. & da Fonseca, G. A. B. 2002. Signature
information and individual recognition in the isolation calls of Amazonian
manatees, Trichechus inunguis (MAMMALIA: SIRENIA). Animal Behaviour, 63,
301-310.<br>
<br>
Abstract<br>
<br>
Acoustic signals are assumed to form the basis of manatee communication.
Empirical evidence of individual vocal recognition has been reported. If
manatees can recognize one another by acoustical means, it should be
possible to identify individual vocal patterns. We recorded vocalizations
of 14 individually housed Amazonian manatees and then digitized selected
vocalizations, allowing seven variables to be measured and subjected to
multivariate statistical treatment. Discriminant function analysis
indicates that individuals can be separated on the basis of variables
related to the fundamental frequency and signal duration. We observed
significant differences in the vocal patterns between sexes and age
classes. Females tend to have greater fundamental frequency and shorter
note duration than males. Calves had shorter note duration and greater
values for the fundamental frequency range than subadults and adults. An
inverse relationship between total body length and fundamental frequency
range suggests that the fundamental frequency becomes more defined as the
animal ages. The similar individual patterns in the vocalizations of a
mother and calf pair are discussed. Individual recognition by Amazonian
manatees according to their vocal patterns is suggested through a
preliminary playback experiment.<br>
<br>
Best,<br>
<br>
Renata S. Sousa-Lima, M. Sc.<br>
Fernow Hall<br>
Cornell University<br>
Ithaca, NY<br>
14853 USA<br>
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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