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 | | Simpson, Samanunu D.
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|  | The acoustic communication patterns of a resident pod of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) at Moon Reef, Tailevu, Fiji
Author:Simpson, Samanunu D.
Institution: University of the South Pacific.
Award: M.Sc.
Subject: Stenella longirostris -- Vocalization -- Fiji -- Tailevu, Sound production by animals -- Fiji -- Tailevu
Date: 2015
Call No.: Pac QL 737 .C432 S56 2015
BRN: 1206614
Copyright:Under 10% of this thesis may be copied without the authors written permission
Abstract: Makalati (also known as Moon Reef) in Viti Levu, Fiji, serves as a critical daytime resting habitat for a pod of semi-resident spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). Acoustic signals such as whistles and echolocation clicks were being monitored for this resident population at both daily and seasonal scales over a two year period. Over 7,960 whistles were collected using an onboard hydrophone during three different sampling periods (from September 2012 to October 2013). The whistle types were categorized into six different categories (upsweep, downsweep, concave, convex, sine and constant) with five time and frequency parameters measured from each whistle contour. The whistle rates of spinner dolphins were observed to vary with time of day. Results also showed low frequency parameter being the highest component contributing to the differences in the whistle characteristics. Over 10,000 echolocation clicks was detected using a moored passive acoustic monitoring device and the echolocation activity was investigated by regression number of clicks per hour against time of day. Clicks were detected throughout the day but there was no significant (p < 0.181) change in the clicks pattern across day and sampling periods. It is suggested that this resident pod were using echolocation as a form of communication and to coordinate group activity. This study presents valuable data that will be used to limit the disturbance of the Moon Reef spinner dolphins and provide significant guidance for sustainable ecotourism management within the reef. ix
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