Study finds southern Indian Ocean humpbacks singing different tunes

To communicate with each other, humpback whales moan, shriek, and wail. Only in the 1960s did scientists from the New York Zoological Society, currently known as the Wildlife Conservation Society, realize that those wails, moans, and shrieks were, in actuality, songs. Humpback whales use songs as a form of communication and the songs often consist of different themes that can last for up to thirty minutes. The songs then repeat in a cycle. Furthermore, usually whales from the same ocean basin, or the same area, sing almost identical songs with similar themes. For example, in the Northern Hemisphere the humpback whales sing very similar songs with almost identical themes. However, scientists from WCS, Columbia University, and Australia recently discovered evidence that goes against the preconceived theory that whales from the same ocean basin sing similar songs. Scientists recently recorded about 20 hours of whale songs and discovered that whales in the same ocean basin are singing completely different songs. Scientists observed that whales in the southern Indian Ocean are singing contrasting songs, which contradicts what was usually the case. Although the reason for this oddity is unknown, many scientists hypothesize that the transfer of songs between different ocean basins happens at the feeding grounds and on the migration routes. The male humpbacks usually sing the songs at winter breeding grounds and on migrating routes, which is how whales from completely different regions are exchanging songs. Also, since whales from the same region are singing completely different songs, some scientists think that there is less contact between the whales in the same ocean basin than previously thought.

            The information in this article is nothing short of revolutionary. The fact that scientists have collected data and observations that, essentially, contradict the previous ideas about whale songs is remarkable. The discoveries made by these scientists have sparked a renewed interest in whale culture. Moreover, the fact that whales from the same region are singing different songs will supply more information on how whale culture spreads both within an ocean basin and across different ocean basins.  From the information in this article people will see how important scientific research is and how interesting and exciting it is. Furthermore, Salvatore Cerchio states that if the songs of whales are continuously monitored scientists can see where, when and how the songs are being exchanged. From there scientists can try to figure out how to protect this unique culture in the future. This article shows people that the cultures of all animals need to protected and supported by the public.

            This article was written in a very bizarre format. The beginning of the article jumps right into the recent scientific breakthrough without giving background information that is needed to understand certain parts of the article. The very last paragraph in the article explains what a humpback whale is and what it looks like, however this information would have been helpful in the beginning of the article. Overall, the order in which the information was presented didn’t make much sense and as a result the article was, at times, difficult to read.

Link:

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/02/01/study_finds_southern_indian_ocean_humpbacks_singing_different_tunes.html

Citation:

Wildlife Conservation Society. "Study Finds Southern Indian Ocean Humpbacks Singing Different Tunes." Biology News Net - Latest Biology Articles, News & Current Events. Wildlife Conservation Society, 01 Feb. 2012. Web. 02 Feb. 2012. <http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/02/01/study_finds_southern_indian_ocean_humpbacks_singing_different_tunes.html>.