Preliminary insights into the acoustic presence and diel patterns of odontocetes in French Polynesia from whistle detections

Raick, Xavier; Cabanne, Elise; Esposito, Charlotte; Parmentier, Eric

doi:10.1016/j.rsma.2026.105142

Article (Scientific journals)

Preliminary insights into the acoustic presence and diel patterns of odontocetes in French Polynesia from whistle detections

Raick, Xavier; Cabanne, Elise; Esposito, Charlotte et al.

2026 • In Regional Studies in Marine Science

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/345920

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10.1016/j.rsma.2026.105142

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Keywords :

cetaceans; passive acoustic monitoring; Tuamotu; Society Islands; Tursiops; Moorea; Raroia; Rangiroa; Bora Bora; Mangareva; Tikehau

Abstract :

[en] Many odontocete species use whistles for key functions such as social communication and group cohesion. Understanding these vocalizations is essential for accurate species identification and conservation efforts. However, there is a significant gap in knowledge regarding odontocete vocalizations in Polynesia. This preliminary study aims to use dolphin whistles to identify the species of odontocetes present in French Polynesia. We analyzed publicly available acoustic data collected at depths of 20, 60, and 120 meters. Using the ROCCA classifier, developed for Hawaiian dolphin whistles, we identified species and examined spatiotemporal patterns. Most whistles were attributed to Stenella attenuata, Stenella longirostris, Steno bredanensis, and Tursiops truncatus. Results revealed a geographic gradient in whistle abundance, with highest levels recorded in the Tuamotu Archipelago (particularly at Rangiroa and Tikehau) and no whistles in Mangareva, which aligns with the known north-south gradient in odontocete abundance. Whistle production was primarily nocturnal, with peaks after sunset and sunrise. Despite some limitations related to acoustic variability and classifier transferability, our results demonstrate that existing tools can provide valuable ecological insights in understudied regions, while highlighting the need for region-specific acoustic datasets to improve species identification.

Research Center/Unit :

FOCUS - Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch - ULiège

Disciplines :

Zoology

Author, co-author :

Raick, Xavier ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Morphologie fonctionnelle et évolutive

Cabanne, Elise

Esposito, Charlotte

Parmentier, Eric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Morphologie fonctionnelle et évolutive

Language :

English

Title :

Preliminary insights into the acoustic presence and diel patterns of odontocetes in French Polynesia from whistle detections

Publication date :

2026

Journal title :

Regional Studies in Marine Science

eISSN :

2352-4855

Publisher :

Elsevier, Netherlands

Peer reviewed :

Peer reviewed

Development Goals :

14. Life below water

Data Set :

https://zenodo.org/records/11960305

We analyzed publicly available acoustic data collected at depths of 20, 60, and 120 meters.

Available on ORBi :

since 10 June 2026

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