User:Gladysapril/sandbox

Communication in Dolphins is an important aspect of their lifestyle because they are incredibly social mammals. Using touch in social interactions is prominent within dolphins, in some species more than others. Upon comparison of both Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), three focal events have been observed: departure, joining, and contact. Departure was when one or more dolphins departed the company of others. Joining was when two or more dolphins came together. Contact was when a dolphin made contact with another by using a part of its body. Both species of dolphins clearly use touch behaviors to communicate. The differentiation between the two species is that Atlantic spotted dolphins are more prone to use touch after joining instead of before departing. Bottlenose dolphins, on the other hand, use touch equally for both circumstances.

In addition to touch, acoustics are another form of communication for dolphins. The whistle of each bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is unique. This particular whistling sound is a form of identification for each dolphin, resembling what we humans use as names to identify each other. These signature whistles are developed during a dolphin's first year and continues to maintain the same sound throughout it's lifetime. In order to obtain each individual whistle sound, dolphins undergo vocal production learning. This consists of an experience with other dolphins that modifies the signal structure of an existing whistle sound. In short, an auditory experience influences the whistle development of each dolphin. Dolphins are able to communicate to one another by addressing another dolphin through mimicking their whistle.

Because dolphins are generally associated in groups, communication is necessary. Signal masking is when other similar sounds (conspecific sounds) interfere with the original acoustic sound. In larger groups, individual whistle sounds are less prominent. Dolphins tend to travel in pods, upon which there are groups of dolphins that range from a few to many. Although they are traveling in these pods, the dolphins do not necessarily swim right next to each other. Rather, they swim within the same general vicinity. In order to prevent losing one of their pod members, dolphins there are higher whistle rates. Because their group members were spread out, this was done in order to continue traveling together.

Editing Vocalizations
Dolphins are capable of making a broad range of sounds using nasal airsacs located just below the blowhole. Roughly three categories of sounds can be identified: frequency modulated whistles, burst-pulsed sounds and clicks. Dolphins communicate with whistle-like sounds produced by vibrating connective tissue, similar to the way human vocal cords function,[56] and through burst-pulsed sounds, though the nature and extent of that ability is not known. The clicks are directional and are for echolocation, often occurring in a short series called a click train. The click rate increases when approaching an object of interest. Dolphin echolocation clicks are amongst the loudest sounds made by marine animals.[57]

Bottlenose dolphins have been found to have signature whistles, a whistle that is unique to a specific individual. These whistles are used in order for dolphins to communicate with one another by identifying an individual. It can be seen as the dolphin equivalent of a name for humans.[58] These signature whistles are developed during a dolphin's first year and continues to maintain the same sound throughout it's lifetime. In order to obtain each individual whistle sound, dolphins undergo vocal production learning. This consists of an experience with other dolphins that modifies the signal structure of an existing whistle sound. An auditory experience influences the whistle development of each dolphin. Dolphins are able to communicate to one another by addressing another dolphin through mimicking their whistle. The signature whistle of male bottlenose dolphin tends to be similar to that of their mother, while the signature whistle of female bottlenose dolphins tends to be more unique.[59] Bottlenose dolphins have a strong memory when it comes to these signature whistles, as they are able to relate to a signature whistle of an individual they have not encountered for over twenty years.[60] Research done on signature whistle usage by other dolphin species is relatively limited. The research on other species done so far has yielded varied outcomes and inconclusive results.[61][62][63][64]

Because dolphins are generally associated in groups, communication is necessary. Signal masking is when other similar sounds (conspecific sounds) interfere with the original acoustic sound. In larger groups, individual whistle sounds are less prominent. Dolphins tend to travel in pods, upon which there are groups of dolphins that range from a few to many. Although they are traveling in these pods, the dolphins do not necessarily swim right next to each other. Rather, they swim within the same general vicinity. In order to prevent losing one of their pod members, dolphins there are higher whistle rates. Because their group members were spread out, this was done in order to continue traveling together.