By Stephen Beech

Dolphins "speak" more when they're learning new skills, reveals research.

Captive bottlenose dolphins vary their vocalizations during "enrichment" activities, say Italian scientists.

They believe their findings can improve the future welfare of the iconic mammals when held in captivity.

Previous research has shown that dolphins produce a range of vocalisations used for echolocation and communication.

Study leader Dr Francesco Di Nardo, of Marche Polytechnic University , Ancona, said: "These vocalizations vary with social context, environmental conditions, external stimuli, and communication, reflecting their cognitive and behavioral complexity."

He said the new findings, published in the journal PLOS One , suggest that the frequency and duration of captive dol

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