Elizabeth Zwamborn
​​Dalhousie University
Research
Current Research Focus
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I am in the late stages of my doctoral degree! After conducting fieldwork from 2018-2021, I have been busy analyzing drone footage and asking questions about how long-finned pilot whales make collective diving decisions, how synchrony works within a group, and how the spatial arrangement of whales within a group changes across social contexts.
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Past Research
For my master's degree I studied the vocal repertoire of long-finned pilot whales, particularly in relation to what is known of their social structure. This study used data from the comprehensive long-term study of this species that has taken place off Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada since 1998. In hopes of learning more about them, this project will continue into the forseeable future.
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The first part of my thesis focused on creating a catalogue of repeated call types for different social units and then comparing between them to look for group-identifiers, acoustic clans, or the alternative use of individual identifiers like those found in some other species of small delphinids. Secondly I described modification patterns found within these repeated call sequences. Finally, I investigated the context - behavioural and environmental - of these sequences.
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My analyses indicated that long-finned pilot whales do appear to have group-identifiers or acoustic clans as seen in sperm and killer whales, nor did they show any evidence of individual-specific vocalizations as calls were shared amongst different social units. There is a significant amount of modification in the otherwise stereotyped call sequences they produce, and this modification can be categorized as either embellishment (discrete changes to one part of the call) or morphing (many non-discrete changes across call). Finally, these call sequences seem to be predicted by both group behaviour and group size, with whales producing more of these vocal repetitions when in larger or socializing groups, some when foraging and travelling, and very few when in smaller aggregations or when resting. Overall, results seem to point towards these sequences being important for group cohesion and contact.
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A link to my thesis can be found under the "CV" tab.
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Along with behavioural and environmental data, we have made many acoustic recordings during encounters of the pilot whales. These are matched to individuals and social units and can be used to study vocalizations in relationship to social structure.
Approximately half of pilot whales in our study area carry distinct enough nicks and notches on their dorsal fin to allow for photo identification. A few also have permanent white scars as shown in the photo above.
The research for my master's thesis was conducted from a whale-watching vessel, which made it extremely cost effective and also allowed for a unique partnership between tour operators and field researchers.
Though my work focused mainly on the pilot whales, I also collect data on the numerous other species we encounter during our field season. These included minkes, finbacks, humpbacks, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, harbour porpoises, belugas, North Atlantic right whales, and leatherback turtles.