The study, led by Syracuse biology professor Katie Payer, examined data on the songs of humpback whales in the North Atlantic Ocean. Payer found that the whales produced longer, more complex songs in areas where there were higher concentrations of krill, a small crustacean that forms a major part of the whales' diet.
"The idea that whale song might be used for foraging has been around for a while, but our study is the first to provide strong evidence to support this theory," said Payer.
The study found that the whales' songs increased in frequency, complexity and duration, and that the most complex songs were produced when krill were abundant. This suggests that the whales may be using their songs to communicate with each other about food, similar to the way that birds use songs to attract mates and defend their territories.
The findings of the study have implications for understanding the behavior and communication of whales, as well as the role that whales play in the marine ecosystem.
"Our research suggests that whale song is not only important for mating and communication, but it may also be a form of acoustic foraging, enabling whales to locate and exploit food resources," said Payer.
Whales' complex songs may be a way of attracting prey, such as krill, to certain areas. This could help the animals to find food and survive. Further studies into whale singing and behaviour could improve our understanding of these amazing creatures.
