The underwater kingdom is home to many fascinating creatures, including whales. These huge mammals are famous for their Melodies complex and suggestive. In fact, their mystery is why they attract the attention of scientists and the curious. I sing. But recently a team of Danish, Austrian and Japanese researchers clarified the problem. mechanism anatomical what does that enable? whale “song”. whales Mysticetesof which they are a part Whales, fin whales and humpback whalesThey developed one larynx with an anatomical shape suitable for producing sounds underwater in the depths of the ocean.
Whale songs have been studied for centuries 50 years, but it was not known in detail how these mammals were able to produce a wide range of sounds, and some aspects were still unknown. Thanks to new research, all the anatomical and physiological details of the larynx of these animals have been described and modeled. The results of the study were published in the renowned journal Nature.
The researchers managed to extract that larynx They examined and reconstructed a few specimens of three whale species stranded on the Danish coast, fin whales and humpback whales, using sophisticated methods. Model 3D their three-dimensional anatomical models. They also identified the exact “route” of theAir in the larynx.
The organ is designed to circulate air and prevent the inhalation of water when vocalizing. Part of the larynx has one “U” shaped structure in contact with some kind of fat pad; When air escapes from the lungs, the laryngeal system begins to vibrate and produce sounds. The scientists also reconstructed and demonstrated a sound model of vocalizations on the computer These are low-frequency signalsto the maximum 300Hzcan only spread over medium distances.
For comparison, consider that a woman's voice has a maximum frequency of approx. 250 Hz. Unfortunately, this frequency matches that of most engines on fishing boats and transport vessels, thus disrupting cetacean calls. In the darkness of the ocean depths, sound exchange between individuals is essential as a guide for hunting, movement or courtship, and therefore disturbances generated by ship engines can confuse and alter the behavior of these animals.