Objective
Killer whales rely extensively on sound for communication and orientation, and some populations have developed complex repertoires of calls that are transmitted between individuals through vocal learning The ability to modify sounds through learning and experience is rare among mammals and complex vocal learning skills have thus far only been documented in humans, bats, pinnipeds, and cetaceans.
Our knowledge about the precise function of killer whale vocal communication, as well as its intended recipients, is currently extremely limited. Call repertoires convey information about population identity and in some cases kinship, but whether free-ranging killer whales actually use this information in behavioural decisions remains unknown.
This currently makes it extremely difficult to determine why killer whales have evolved complex vocal repertoires and abilities for vocal learning and ultimately what the reasons for the evolution of vocal learning are. I propose to conduct a 2 year study of killer whales in European waters (Scotland and Norway). I plan to measure the loudness of killer whale calls to determine the distance over which they can be detected by potential recipients.
If calls function as contact calls, they should be audible over substantial distances whereas if they primarily function in communication within a foraging group, they may only be audible over a few hundred metres.
In addition I plan to use playbacks to test whether killer whales respond differently to the calls of familiar and unfamiliar social groups. Finally I plan to test whether food-associated calls attract other killer whales to a foraging site by conducting playbacks of such sounds to free-ranging killer whales.
The proposed study will shed light on the function of vocal behaviour i n populations of free-ranging killer whales and ultimately help us understand the mechanisms responsible for the evolution of complex learned vocal repertoires in cetaceans and other mammals.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
ST. ANDREWS
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.