Subject: Whale Sound Evolution
Phillip Colla (oceanlight@oceanlight.com)
Sat, 12 Jun 1999 19:39:41 -0700
>could you explain the theory that exists about the relation of evolution
>and sounds that whales make?
I'm sorry, but your question is not clear. Do you mean, "What is the
evolution of whale sounds?" If so, that is a broad question indeed.
You will need to consult discussions not only of whale evolution (and
perhaps that of extinct whales as well), but research into modern whale
acoustics. Bioacoustics is a huge field.
Naturally, noone was around to know for sure when (long ago!) cetacean
sounds first occurred, or how the sound-making organs developed over time.
Researchers studying whale evolution may be able to make some guesses as
to the sound-making capability of their subjects through fossil records,
extrapolation to modern species and plain old intuition.
I don't have a more specific answer to your question than that. I hope
that it helps. I will pursue the matter and if I locate sources for you
I will forward them along.
Best regards,
Phillip Colla
Research Associate: http://www.hwrf.org
Photographer: http://www.oceanlight.com