Possible relationship between waveguide properties and bandwidth utilization in humpback whales

Humpback whales may use different sounds based on the propagation characteristics of the environment within which they are vocalizing. We used computational techniques to assess how well different frequencies propagate in environments frequented by humpback whales. The results of these simulations suggest that humpbacks should use different frequencies in northern feeding grounds from those they use in southern breeding areas in order to achieve maximal propagation ranges in both regions. Preliminary data from previous reports suggest that humpback whales do use different frequencies in these different environments, consistent with the predictions of our simulations.