Porpoise echo-recognition: An analysis of controlling target characteristics

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Abstract
A baseline-probe technique was used to investigate target echo recognition by an echolocating Atlantic bottlenose porpoise (T. truncatus). Baseline performance was established using a 2-alternative, forced-choice method; 2 hollow Al and 2 coral rock cylinders (standard targets) were presented successively in a random sequence. After a near errorless performance was achieved with the standard targets, probe targets were used to investigate the animal''s target echo recognition capability. The animal apparently learned to recognize the characteristics of echoes from the Al standards and differentiated other targets on that basis. All of the targets were subsequently examined by using a broadband porpoise-like acoustic signal. Analysis of the echoes suggested a strong correlation between the behavior and measured characteristics of the envelopes of the matched filter responses to the echoes.

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