Music and Choreography of the Ocean
Researchers have established a connection between the songs and the dives of humpback whales.
Publication date: August 4, 21:15
Scientists at Syracuse University in New York conducted research that revealed a direct connection between the songs of male humpback whales and their diving. The results of the study, which took place from 2018 to 2024 off the coast of Maui, were published in the journal Current Biology. The researchers attached special non-invasive tags the size of tablets to 16 males, which captured the acoustics and movements of the whales.
It was found that individual males can sing continuously for up to 16 hours. During dives, certain musical themes were identified that sounded at different times:
- some during the dive,
- others during the ascent,
- a new set of melodies at the lowest point of the dive.
The variability in the performance of songs was highest at maximum depth, indicating a dependence of song performance on dive depth, oxygen levels in the body, and buoyancy.
Opportunities for Further Research
The acoustic monitoring used in the study allows for assessing the state and position of the whale in the water column. Scientists plan to check whether a similar relationship between songs and diving occurs in humpback whale populations in other parts of the World Ocean. This research opens new possibilities for understanding whale behavior and their communication in a natural environment.
The study conducted by the researchers not only highlights the complexity of humpback whale communication but also points to potential avenues for investigating the effects of ecological factors on their behavior. Understanding the link between songs and diving may aid in the conservation of these marine mammals, as changes in the acoustic environment can impact their way of life. Future stages of research in other regions could expand our knowledge of how whales adapt to different ocean conditions.