Comparative bioacoustics II: Marine Mammals (3 ECTS)

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2025 Provisional Schedule

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Organisers and tutors: Isabelle Charrier & Charlotte Curé Tutors: Olivier Adam, Flore Samaran

 

Confirmed Guest tutors: Colleen Reichmuth (USA), Filipa Samarra (Iceland), Maevatiana Ratsimbazafindranahaka (Germany), Chloé Huetz (France), Maëlle Torterotot (France), Denise Risch (Scotland), Fleur Visser (The Netherlands), Héloïse Frouin-Mouy (USA)

 

Aims: In this module, we will review the production/perception, nature, function of acoustic signals in marine mammals (pinnipeds and cetaceans) as well as the impact of noise. We will describe the different types of acoustic signals produced by pinnipeds, odontocetes and Mysticetes, and the anatomical basis of their production. We will see their hearing abilities, and review the impact of noise on their general behaviour and vocal production. We will also present technologies used to study marine mammal vocal behaviour, from passive to active monitoring and the analysis methods linked to these monitoring methods (PAM and tags). During the practical sessions, we will use sound analysis software such as Seewave, Avisoft and Raven...

Research talks on pinniped and cetacean acoustic communication networks and noise impact will expose you directly to current research.

 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, a successful student should be able to:

1. Demonstrateanunderstandingofhowacousticsignalsofmarinemammalsare produced, structured and perceived;

2. Demonstrateanunderstandingofnoiseimpactonmarinemammals

3. Demonstrate a good understanding of tools for analysing marine mammal

   vocalisations

4. Demonstrate a good understanding of scientific devices that can be used to

   study marine mammal behaviour (PAM and tags)

 

Assessment

The final mark will be based on the oral presentation of a scientific paper (duration = 10 min + 5 min questions).

 

2024 Schedule

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Day 1 – 6th October

09:00-12:30 Lecture (3h CM): Welcome & Description of marine mammal vocalisations and assessing the biological function of their vocalisations using playback experiments. Case study focused on Pinnipeds. Isabelle Charrier

14:30-17:30 Practical (3h CM/TD): Analysis of marine mammal vocalisations. Use of Pamguard. Denise Risch (I. Charrier in assistance)

Assignment of scientific papers that will be presented on Friday (1/student).

 

Day 2 – 7th October

09:00-12:00 Lecture (3h CM): Vocal production in cetaceans, and comparison of vocal apparatus between odontocetes and Mysticetes. Hearing in cetaceans. Olivier Adam.

13:00-15:00 Lecture (CM): stats (V. Medoc).

15:00-16:30 Lecture (CM): Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Seals. Héloïse Frouin- Mouy (Online).

17:30- 19:00 Lecture (CM): Hearing in pinnipeds. Conference by Colleen Reichmuth (Online).

 

Day 3 - 8th October

09:00-12:00 Lecture (3h CM): Presentation of the standard and new technologies used to study marine mammals (behaviour and vocal production). Impact of noise on marine mammals. Study case on cetacean species. Charlotte Curé

 

Day 4 – 9th October

09:00-12:00 Lecture (3h CM): Presentation of passive acoustic monitoring methods for cetaceans. Flore Samaran

14:00-17:00 Afternoon Practical (3h TD): analysis methods in passive acoustic monitoring. Flore Samaran + Maelle Torterotot

 

Day 5 – 10th October

09:00-10:00: Plenary talk (45min + questions) by Fleur Visser

10:15-11:15 : Plenary talk (45min + questions) by Filipa Samarra

12:30-15:30: Oral presentations of scientific papers, 15 min per presentations (10 min presentation and 5 min questions, 2 students/publication) (I. Charrier & C. Curé).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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