BIOACOUSTICS OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN

This research course is designed for students, biologist, and more interested people who seek a broad and balanced view of the study of bottlenose dolphin vocalizations in the wild.

Dolphin vocalizations may be monitored and recorded under a wide range of water conditions, when animals are at the surface or submerged, and at night. Students will participate in boat-based research surveys investigating ecology and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins on the north-eastern coast of Sardinia, Italy. Students will actively participate in data collection and analyses as part of an ongoing research.

BDRI's research courses give an insight into the workings of a research team, and provides valuable experience in a wide range of areas including scientific data collection, analysis and presentation; giving public talks and much more. To be successful participants in this project, students should have open minds, flexibility in changing situations, and a desire to help and to learn.

All classes will be in a form of both (a) lectures that will lead to more "informal" discussion, hopefully ending with a constructive brain-storming on the specific topic, as well as (b) instructions with hand-on practical component, especially when it involves field techniques.

Practical training, lessons in the field base, and discussions include:

•  Bottlenose dolphin biology

•  Bottlenose dolphins sound production and reception

•  Bottlenose dolphin vocalizations

•  Whistles categorization

•  Sound analysis

•  Noise pollution

•  Software to bioacoustical studies

• Cleaning of equipment and primary statistical data analyses

•  Computer orientation