Dolphins
mimic the unique calls of those they share a strong social bond with, such as
offspring
Dolphins
mimic the distinct whistles of their closest companions as a way of tracking
them, according to researchers.
A
team of marine biologists from the University of St Andrews studied the vocal
signatures of the mammals.
Their
findings suggested that dolphins mimic those they are close to and want to be
reunited with.
It
was already known that dolphins develop their own individual whistle which
describes their identity.
The
team of Scottish and American scientists analysed recordings from wild and
captive dolphins to identify which animals copy one another's signature
whistle.
Social
bonds
The
St Andrews researchers, working with scientists at the Walt Disney World Resort
in Florida, found the mimicking was only present in mothers and their
offspring, as well as in adult males who copied those they had long-term
associations with.
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