@article{fdi:010083817,
  title = {{W}hen does cultural evolution become cumulative culture ? {A} case study of humpback whale song},
  author = {{G}arland, {E}. {C}. and {G}arrigue, {C}laire and {N}oad, {M}. {J}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{C}ulture presents a second inheritance system by which innovations can be transmitted between generations and among individuals. {S}ome vocal behaviours present compelling examples of cultural evolution. {W}here modifications accumulate over time, such a process can become cumulative cultural evolution. {T}he existence of cumulative cultural evolution in non-human animals is controversial. {W}hen physical products of such a process do not exist, modifications may not be clearly visible over time. {H}ere, we investigate whether the constantly evolving songs of humpback whales ({M}egaptera novaeangliae) are indicative of cumulative cultural evolution. {U}sing nine years of song data recorded from the {N}ew {C}aledonian humpback whale population, we quantified song evolution and complexity, and formally evaluated this process in light of criteria for cumulative cultural evolution. {S}ong accumulates changes shown by an increase in complexity, but this process is punctuated by rapid loss of song material. {W}hile such changes tentatively satisfy the core criteria for cumulative cultural evolution, this claim hinges on the assumption that novel songs are preferred by females. {W}hile parsimonious, until such time as studies can link fitness benefits (reproductive success) to individual singers, any claims that humpback whale song evolution represents a form of cumulative cultural evolution may remain open to interpretation. {T}his article is part of a discussion meeting issue '{T}he emergence of collective knowledge and cumulative culture in animals, humans and machines'.},
  keywords = {song ; cultural evolution ; cultural revolution ; complexity ; cetaceans ; social learning ; {NOUVELLE} {CALEDONIE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}hilosophical {T}ransactions of the {R}oyal {S}ociety {B} : {B}iological {S}ciences},
  volume = {377},
  numero = {1843},
  pages = {20200313 [11 p.]},
  ISSN = {0962-8436},
  year = {2022},
  DOI = {10.1098/rstb.2020.0313},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010083817},
}