@article{fdi:010085248,
  title = {{S}ong complexity is maintained during inter-population cultural transmission of humpback whale songs},
  author = {{A}llen, {J}. {A}. and {G}arland, {E}. {C}. and {G}arrigue, {C}laire and {D}unlop, {R}. {A}. and {N}oad, {M}. {J}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{A}mong animal species, the songs of male humpback whales ({M}egaptera novaeangliae) are a rare example of social learning between entire populations. {U}nderstanding fine-scale similarity in song patterns and structural features will better clarify how accurately songs are learned during inter-population transmission. {H}ere, six distinct song types (2009-2015) transmitted from the east {A}ustralian to {N}ew {C}aledonian populations were quantitatively analysed using fine-scale song features. {R}esults found that {N}ew {C}aledonian whales learned each song type with high accuracy regardless of the pattern's complexity. {H}owever, there were rare instances of themes (stereotyped patterns of sound units) only sung by a single population. {T}hese occurred more often in progressively changing 'evolutionary' songs compared to rapidly changing 'revolutionary' songs. {O}ur results suggest that populations do not need to reduce complexity to accurately learn song patterns. {P}opulations may also incorporate changes and embellishments into songs in the form of themes which are suggested to be learnt as distinct segments. {M}aintaining complex song patterns with such accuracy suggests significant acoustic contact, supporting the hypothesis that song learning may occur on shared feeding grounds or migration routes. {T}his study improves the understanding of inter-population mechanisms for large-scale cultural transmission in animals.},
  keywords = {{AUSTRALIE} ; {NOUVELLE} {CALEDONIE} ; {PACIFIQUE} {SUD}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{S}cientific {R}eports - {N}ature},
  volume = {12},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {8999 [9 p.]},
  ISSN = {2045-2322},
  year = {2022},
  DOI = {10.1038/s41598-022-12784-3},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010085248},
}