Variation in the emission rate of sounds in a captive group of false killer whales Pseudorca crassidens during feedings: possible food anticipatory vocal activity?

作     者：Sara PLATTO 王丁 王克雄 

作者机构：Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Hydrobiology Chinese Academy of Sciences 

出 版 物：《Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology》 (中国海洋湖沼学报（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2016年第34卷第6期

页      面：1218-1237页

核心收录：

学科分类：0710[理学-生物学] 0908[农学-水产] 07[理学] 0707[理学-海洋科学] 0815[工学-水利工程] 0713[理学-生态学] 

基　　金：Supported by grants from the Institute of Hydrobiology Chinese Academy of Sciences 

主　　题：假漂亮鲸鱼 Pseudorca crassidens 时间、发信号的可预测性 食物先行的活动 总计健全的率 健全的班评价 

摘      要：This study examines whether a group of captive false killer whales(P seudorca crassidens) showed variations in the vocal rate around feeding times. The high level of motivation to express appetitive behaviors in captive animals may lead them to respond with changes of the behavioral activities during the time prior to food deliveries which are referred to as food anticipatory activity. False killer whales at Qingdao Polar Ocean World(Qingdao, China) showed signifi cant variations of the rates of both the total sounds and sound classes(whistles, clicks, and burst pulses) around feedings. Precisely, from the Transition interval that recorded the lowest vocalization rate(3.40 s/m/d), the whales increased their acoustic emissions upon trainers arrival(13.08 s/m/d). The high rate was maintained or intensifi ed throughout the food delivery(25.12 s/m/d), and then reduced immediately after the animals were fed(9.91 s/m/d). These changes in the false killer whales sound production rates around feeding times supports the hypothesis of the presence of a food anticipatory vocal activity. Although sound rates may not give detailed information regarding referential aspects of the animal communication it might still shed light about the arousal levels of the individuals during different social or environmental conditions. Further experiments should be performed to assess if variations of the time of feeding routines may affect the vocal activity of cetaceans in captivity as well as their welfare.