Abstract
Bubble Trails, Bursts, Rings, and More: A Review of Multiple Bubble Types Produced by Cetaceans
Highlights
Cetaceans produce bubbles by releasing air underwater from their respiratory tract through exhalation
One of the more welldocumented uses of bubble production is as a component of foraging to facilitate prey capture, such as in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae; Hain, Carter, Kraus, Mayo, & Winn, 1981; Sharpe & Dill, 1997; Wiley et al, 2011), Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus; Fertl & Wilson, 1997), Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis; Fertl & Würsig, 1995), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens; Zaeschmar, Dwyer, & Stockin, 2013), and orcas (Orcinus orca; Similä & Ugarte, 1993; Visser et al, 2008)
We have suggested terms with clear operational definitions that rely solely on the physical features of bubble type, which is crucial for comparisons across studies because it removes ambiguity and interpretation error
Summary
Reports describe bubbles in general terms, not distinguishing between types of bubble emissions. A recent publication concluded that general bubble production is one of many behaviors that increase in response to provided stimuli (Hanna et al, 2017). Additional reported bubble types include the scant bubble, called a blowhole drip, and bubbles released from the mouth (Table 1) These observations have served to identify the many situations where each of these bubble types are used, including agonistic, synchronization, sexual interaction, and response to unfamiliar stimuli (Table 1). Many of these contexts are associated with high levels of arousal, indicating bubbles may be linked to internal states. We describe and aim to clarify the terminology used throughout the literature, discuss evidence for proposed behavioral functions and differences in use between demographic groups, consider the evolutionary origin of bubble bursts, and suggest future directions for research on the behavioral functions of bubbles
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