This discovery provided evidence that large combinatorial vocalization systems are rare in the animal kingdom, but they are not unique to humans and may be present in other species.
Scientists have identified variations in the “clicks” of sea giants – sperm whales, which represent something like an alphabet. Science Alert writes about it.
In one study, members of the conservation initiative Project CETI discovered that a series of clicks from sperm whales lasting less than two seconds represents a kind of code. These are the basic units of cetacean language.
“We analyzed vocalizations recorded from more than fifty different sperm whales between 2005 and 2018. In total, we identified 8,719 different codes, which we were able to divide into 21 code types of distance identified by scientists in previous studies. Whales either recite these codes individually, or create patterns at the level of individual codes, as well as the overall structure of chorus The authors of the study believe that some characteristics of the codes used by sperm whales depend on the context of the conversation ,” said the report.
According to the researchers, these characteristics include:
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lengthening or shortening of codes;
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codes are not tied to the number of clicks;
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additional clicks included in the base code.
At the same time, the different rhythms and tempos of the clicks do not seem to correspond to a specific context. Together, this set of different code functions creates a vast combination of different sounds, similar to the phonemes in the human alphabet, according to the study’s authors.
Let’s remember that early scientists explained the mass stranding of dolphins. About half a thousand pilot whales washed ashore in Australia, and several dozen animals were rescued.
Source: korrespondent
I am Ben Stock, a passionate and experienced digital journalist working in the news industry. At the Buna Times, I write articles covering technology developments and related topics. I strive to provide reliable information that my readers can trust. My research skills are top-notch, as well as my ability to craft engaging stories on timely topics with clarity and accuracy.