Dados do Trabalho

Título:

VOCAL COMPLEXITY IN ANTILLEAN MANATEES (TRICHECHUS MANATUS MANATUS)

Resumo:

Vocal complexity can be expressed through variations in repertoire size, structure, and individuals. Here we aimed to assess the complexity in vocal behaviour of Antillean manatees living in captivity (i.e., artificial pools) and in reintroduction enclosures (i.e., natural enclosures placed in an estuarine area). Specifically, we evaluated: i) the structure of vocalisations to assess whether they had variants; ii) the variation in call production (rate and pattern) between groups with different configurations; iii) whether individuality occurred in vocalisation structure. We found four categories of vocalisations, of which two had different variants. Not all study groups produced all call categories and variants. Older and younger males in the reintroduction enclosures had the highest call rates compared to captive females and captive males. The vocal and behavioural patterns differed between groups. Squeak call structure differed between individuals. Such vocal complexity may aid manatees to adapt to their dynamic social and structural environment, facilitating communication.

Financiamento:

CAPES, CNPq, FACEPE

Área

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