'Weirdos of the sperm whale world' appear to be evolving 2 different dialects, audio recordings suggest
science
Thousands of recordings of sperm whale communications in the Mediterranean Sea reveal a striking pattern: the population is splitting into two distinct groups, each developing its own dialect. According to Live Science, researchers have identified what they call the 'weirdos' of the sperm whale world, and these unusual whales aren't just behaviorally different—they're formalizing their separation through distinct vocalizations with unique click patterns and communication styles. It's unclear whether this represents early stages of speciation or simply cultural drift within the population. Either way, it's a fascinating reminder that evolution happens not just through physical changes, but through how species communicate.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/animals/whales/weirdos-of-the...
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