The Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition program at Southern Miss is housed in the Department of Psychology. Graduate students who complete this program earn a doctorate in experimental psychology.

Our research team consists of a stellar group of hard-working students (both graduate and undergraduate) and a number of scientists from around the world. Our research efforts focus on the behavior of dolphins and whales, with particular emphasis on the comparison of cetacean behavior with that of other species, including humans.

Much of our research program concerns developmental issues. We are particularly interested in social and behavioral development during the first years of life for dolphins and killer whales (Kuczaj, Hill, Tranel, Trone & Solangi, 1999; Kuczaj, Hendry & Powell, 2001). Examples of specific projects include the ontogeny and durability of the mother-infant bond (Hill, Tranel & Kuczaj, 2001; Losch & Kuczaj, 2001; Wright & Kuczaj, 2001), the incidence and significance of alloparenting by dolphins (Jensen, Tranel & Kuczaj, in preparation; Losch & Kuczaj, 2001), the ontogeny of the echolocation system (an ongoing longitudinal project funded by the Office of Naval Research), the development of vocal and nonvocal communication systems, the role of peers in development (Kuczaj, 2001), and the ontogeny of individual differences (personality/temperament).

Much of this work has involved captive animals. Even though the captive environment is vastly different from that of wild animals, studies of captive animals can provide valuable insights into both the processes and products that characterize cetacean behavior. For example, some of our recent work has focused on the ways in which experience affects behavior. This program of research ranges from investigations of the efficacy of various forms of environmental enrichment for captive animals (Kuczaj, Lacinak, Garver & Scarpuzzi, 1998; Kuczaj, Lacinak & Turner, 1998; Williams, Luo, Ward, Redd, Gibson, Kuczaj & McCoy, 2001) to the effects of the social environment on behavioral development. Our longitudinal studies of young captive-born bottlenose dolphins have revealed that dolphin calves use their mothers as secure bases from which to explore the world (Kuczaj, Hill, Tranel, Trone & Solangi, 1999; Kuczaj 2001), reminiscent of mother-infant interactions in both human and non-human primates. Although these dolphin calves did learn from observing their mothers, they were more likely to learn novel behaviors via observation of and interactions with other calves. Additionally, the learning curve for novel behaviors was accelerated for calves that had the opportunity to interact with other calves that were slightly older than themselves. These findings highlight the role of peers in behavioral acquisition and novelty seeking.

Another topic that has received considerable attention from our group is the role of play in the behavioral and cognitive development of dolphins and killer whales (Kuczaj, 2001; Kuczaj & Trone, 2001; Kuczaj, Trone, Hill & Tranel, 2000). We have been observing the spontaneous play behaviors of dolphins and killer whales for the past five years. One of our more interesting findings is that young animals from both species continuously make their play activities more complex. This pattern suggests that the play process is more important than the play product, and that dolphins and killer whales use play to create moderately discrepant events. We believe that this aspect of play facilitates the development and maintenance of flexible problem solving skills, and likely played an important role in the evolution of cetacean cognition. If so, play in these species may have evolved to enhance the ability to adapt to novel situations.

We are also interested in the behavior and capabilities of mature animals. We are in the fifth year of a longitudinal investigation of the social dynamics of a captive group of bottlenose dolphins, and have preliminary evidence for consistent individual differences in adult dolphins (Thames & Kuczaj, 2001; Kuczaj, 2001). In turn, this suggests that dolphins may possess stable personality characteristics. As our developmental study of individual differences progresses, we hope to determine the factors that influence the emergence of dolphin "personality."

We have also explored several aspects of dolphin cognition. In one study, we exposed two adult bottlenose dolphins to a large underwater keyboard designed to facilitate two way communication between humans and dolphins. To our surprise, the dolphins began to spontaneously "point" at objects in order to indicate their interest in the objects and to obtain help from humans in obtaining the objects (Xitco, Gory & Kuczaj, 2001). We have also demonstrated that dolphins can use tools to solve problems (Gory & Kuczaj, 1998) and that dolphins can plan their behavior in order to more efficiently solve problems Gory & Kuczaj, 2001; Kuczaj & Gory, 2000). This work has been featured in several programs on dolphin intelligence that have aired on the Animal Planet channel and the Discovery channel.

In conjunction with colleagues at Southern Miss, the Naval Research Laboratory at Stennis Space Center, and the University of New Orleans, we are examining the effects of low frequency sounds on sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico. This work is supported by an interdisciplinary research grant awarded by the Office of Naval Research. In the initial phases of this work, we are analyzing the spontaneous vocalizations produced by sperm whales during the summer of 2001. Follow-up work will address a number of issues, including the relative efficacy of different detection models, the use of passive recording techniques in the study of sperm whale vocalizations, and the effects of noise (natural and man-made) on sperm whale behavior.

One of our primary goals is to place human cognition and human development in an evolutionary context. In order to do so, it is necessary to understand the behavior and capabilities of other species, particularly those that may have relatively sophisticated cognitive abilities. In addition to its theoretical significance, the study of these animals is important for their survival. As humans continue to encroach on more and more of the planet, we increase the risk that many existing species will become extinct. A better understanding of other species' behaviors and environmental needs makes it possible to better educate the public and perhaps help these species to survive.