Dolphin Commnication Much More Complex Than Thought

[Animavore]

Thanks. I think.

[Schneibster]

When our food arrived my plate was laden with a very large steak. She took one look at it, screamed, and fled.

You're mean.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

When I read the OP, I thought you were implying that dolphin communication was more complex than thought (n). I now see that you meant thought (vi) - far less groundbreaking - but still interesting - I want to see where this research goes (but, given previous claims of understanding dolphins and whales in a few years that came to nothing, I will not be holding my breath.)

[Schneibster]

When I read the OP, I thought you were implying that dolphin communication was more complex than thought (n). I now see that you meant thought (vi) - far less groundbreaking - but still interesting - I want to see where this research goes (but, given previous claims of understanding dolphins and whales in a few years that came to nothing, I will not be holding my breath.)

Yeah, Me too. Still, nature is parsimonious, usually. I can't hardly imagine their brains getting smaller, all things considered.

The really interesting part is that it appears to be shared with the other toothed whales. Killer whale "whistles..." aren't. And that's a pretty much bigger brain, no?

[JimC]

An article in the NewScientist I am currently reading (2829) is talking about reseach that suggests that dolphin "whistles" contain clear information about individual "names", and that they tailor their communication in that way...

"Hey Fred, check out this school of sardines"

[Schneibster]

They've been working on that hypothesis (that they're self-identifying) for about a decade. Some researchers think it's partly unconscious, that they go around saying their name all the time.

I don't think we should expect human-like intelligence. They have no hands. It makes a very big difference.

[normal]

I thought it was more complex than thoughts

Edit: I see that's what someone else thought as well =P

[mistermack]

What sort of a poser writes Physeter when they mean Sperm Whale? Are you that desperate to impress?
Anyway, it's common knowledge that Tursiops have complex communication. I regularly get spam emails from Tursiops off the west of Ireland. I told them, if they don't accept paypal, I'm not interested in cheap Salmonidae.

Edit : I may be stating what everybody knows, but intelligence is generally indicated by the RATIO of brain size to body size, not the brain's absolute size.
So comparing killer whales to dolphins, you compare the ratios, rather than the brain size.

Humans have a phenomenal ratio, and it evolved VERY quickly in evolutionary terms.

[Schneibster]

What sort of a poser writes Physeter when they mean Sperm Whale? Are you that desperate to impress?

Envious? Looks that way.

I am reminded of a Frenchwoman who made a snide comment about my habits with my knife at table which her office had invited me to for helping them out with a problem; I observed that in the US it's considered impolite to comment on someone's eating habits, and inquired if it was different in France.

[mistermack]

Envious? Looks that way.

I am reminded of a Frenchwoman who made a snide comment about my habits with my knife at table which her office had invited me to for helping them out with a problem; I observed that in the US it's considered impolite to comment on someone's eating habits, and inquired if it was different in France.

No, not envious at all.

I am reminded of someone I used to know, who knew very little, but liked to use big words to impress people.
I love to prick pomposity, so I was delighted to come across such a pompous prick.

[Schneibster]

Envious? Looks that way.

I am reminded of a Frenchwoman who made a snide comment about my habits with my knife at table which her office had invited me to for helping them out with a problem; I observed that in the US it's considered impolite to comment on someone's eating habits, and inquired if it was different in France.

No, not envious at all.