Non-linear analysis as a hierarchal classification scheme for vocalizing marine biologics

Abstract

Many ocean animals use acoustic communications. Breeding, territorial aggression, and hunting actions often include some form, often complex, and can provide actionable intelligence on the vocalizing animals' intent. As a means of considering the linear features of the time series and the corresponding spectral and cyclic frequency content as it pertains to different classes of animals, a hierarchy termed periodic linear, periodic non-linear, and aperiodic non-linear structural vocalization is considered. To demonstrate the application of such a hierarchy, known vocalizations from the red hind grouper (Epinephelus guttatus), the four lined grunter (Pelates quadrilineatus), the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) are considered and analyzed for grouping according to the hierarchy based on their time, spectral, and cyclic signal content. Finally, a vocalization collected from the invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans), understood at the time of publication to be the first such recorded instance, is exercised against the hierarchy to show membership identification.