Detailed Comparison of Acoustic Signals from Rehabilitated and Wild Franciscanas (Pontoporia blainvillei) Dolphins

Publication Type:
Journal Article
Year of Publication:
2024
Authors:
Giardino Gisela Vanina, Mel Cosentino, Agustina Camila Macchi, Juan Pablo Loureiro, Sergio Rodriguez Heredia, Karina Ceilia Alvarez, Sergio Gabriel Moron, Diego Horacio Rodriguez
Publication/Journal:
Animals
Keywords:
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ISBN:
2076-2615
Abstract:

The franciscana dolphin is a small, vulnerable species often caught in artisanal gillnets. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of their acoustic capabilities by using advanced equipment to collect a large dataset of wideband, continuous recordings. We examined the detailed acoustic signals of franciscana dolphins, comparing the sounds from rehabilitated dolphins in captivity with those of wild dolphins near fishing nets. Significant differences in acoustic characteristics were found between neonates and older dolphins, with juvenile and wild dolphins showing similar features. For the first time, repetition patterns in click production were identified, highlighting the importance of understanding the context of these sounds in regards to feeding and communication. This study emphasizes the need for detecting neonates for species protection and suggests the potential for developing acoustic classifiers specific to different age groups. Our findings offer valuable insights for conservation efforts and the development of protection strategies for franciscana dolphins.

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