Beschreibung:
<jats:p>Sound production and surface behavior of the gray whale were investigated at Bahia Magdalena, Mexico to determine if vocalizations have behavioral correlations or are used in specific social contexts. Fifteen-minute sessions of behavioral observations and acoustic recordings of gray whales in various social contexts were collected from February to April 2006 (n=30). Analysis of sound production included proportional use of different call types and acoustic variables of each sound type. Preliminary acoustic analysis found no correlation with social contexts or behaviors, but proportional use of different vocalizations is similar to past studies in Baja [Dahlheim et al, The Gray Whale, pp. 511–541 (1984), F. J. Ollervides, dissertation, Texas A&M University (2001)]. Initial results indicate significant differences in frequencies of high surface behaviors (p=0.0477) of groups that include mother-calf pairs. As analysis continues, possible correlations between social context and use of sounds could allow for acoustics to be an indicator of group composition, seasonal movements, and social patterns and to help determine the functions of sounds. [Work supported by SFS and NFWF.]</jats:p>