The Complex Code of Sperm Whale Vocalizations: New Research Reveals Their ‘Phonetic Alphabet'”.

Researchers have long believed that sperm whales are complex, social, and intelligent animals. However, scientists have been puzzled by the apparent simplicity of the whales’ vocalizations despite their complex lives. Ph.D. student Pratyusha Sharma from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab has led a study that challenges this perception.

Instead of examining codas in isolation, Sharma’s team focused on how they relate to each other. By considering variables such as rhythm, tempo, sound length, and additional sounds that could alter a coda’s meaning, the scientists uncovered a “sperm whale phonetic alphabet” for the first time. The study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrates that sperm whale vocalizations consist of at least 150 distinct patterns called codas.

This breakthrough sheds new light on the intricacies of sperm whale communication and challenges previous assumptions about these majestic creatures. Sharma’s research shows that sperm whales use a complex system of codas to communicate with each other and their environment. This new understanding of sperm whale communication will have important implications for conservation efforts and our understanding of these fascinating animals.