scholarly journals Synchronous and Rhythmic Vocalizations and Correlated Underwater Behavior of Free-ranging Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Bahamas

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Herzing
Keyword(s):  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Stenella Frontalis ◽  
Atlantic Spotted Dolphins ◽  
Free Ranging

scholarly journals Directionality of Sexual Activities During Mixed-Species Encounters between Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise L. Herzing ◽  
Cindy R. Elliser
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphin ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Aggressive Behaviors ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Stenella Frontalis ◽  
Spotted Dolphin ◽  
Atlantic Spotted Dolphins

In the Bahamas, interspecific groups of Atlantic spotted dolphins, Stenella frontalis, and bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, have been observed underwater since 1985 on Little Bahama Bank. Mixed-species groups engage in associative behaviors and aggression on a regular basis. Because of their complex cognitive behaviors and large brain encephalization, dolphins are likely capable of complex social interactions, even between species.Between 1993-2003, 177 Mixed-Species Encounters (MSE) were categorized by the age class of male spotted dolphins, the ratio of spotted dolphins to bottlenose dolphins, behavior as Associative (traveling, babysitting, play) or Aggressive (chases, mounting, head to heads) and by directionality of sexual behavior. The majority (68%) of MSE involved adult spotted dolphin. Associative behaviors were observed more than aggressive behaviors in groups where no adult male spotted dolphin, only male calves, or male juvenile spotted dolphins were present. Aggressive behaviors were observed more frequently than associative behaviors in adult male spotted dolphin groups. When groups were unbalanced in favor of one species or the other, differences in social interactions occurred. Male spotted dolphins were never observed attempting to mount male bottlenose dolphin although they chased them. Despite the larger ratio of male spotted dolphins to bottlenose dolphins during MSE, directionality of male-to-male sexual contact was primarily one-way. Male bottlenose dolphin mounted and copulated with male spotted dolphins but not the reverse. Opportunities for cross-species mating and hybridization clearly occurred. Male bottlenose dolphins copulated with female spotted dolphins and male spotted dolphins copulated with female bottlenose dolphins. These sympatric dolphins in the Bahamas have a complex and dynamic relationship that varies with sex and age and revolves around potential reproductive isolation issues.

scholarly journals Underwater Mirror Exposure to Free-Ranging Naïve Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis) in the Bahamas

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabienne Delfour ◽  
Denise Herzing
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
California Sea Lions ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Single Male ◽  
Stenella Frontalis ◽  
Self Recognition ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Free Ranging

The “mirror state,” described for human self-recognition, has been found in captive or human-raised species. In marine mammals, bottlenose dolphins and killer whales have shown evidence of body examination, self-directed and contingency checking behaviors whereas false killer whales appeared ambiguous and California sea lions did not recognize themselves in a mirror. Self-recognition processes in wild cetaceans remain unknown. Since 1985, a resident community of Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) has been studied underwater in the Bahamas. We describe the reaction of free-ranging dolphins during 14 exposures to the presence of a mirror from 1994/1995 and 2004/2005. Responses to the mirror were mixed. Initial reactions of mother/calf groups were to swim around mirror and stay in close physical proximity. Others ignored the mirror entirely, or swam around or underneath. A single male became stationary and postured in an aggressive stance in front of the mirror. The wild spotted dolphins showed a significant preference to exposing and/or orienting their right side to the mirror versus their left side. We suggest that the animals assign different meanings to a mirror in the wild versus the same object in captivity.

Whistle source levels of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico

2014 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
pp. 1624-1631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam S. Frankel ◽  
David Zeddies ◽  
Peter Simard ◽  
David Mann
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Atlantic Spotted Dolphins ◽  
Free Ranging

scholarly journals PAPILLOMAVIRUS ANTIBODY PREVALENCE IN FREE-RANGING AND CAPTIVE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS)

2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Rehtanz ◽  
Shin-je Ghim ◽  
Wayne McFee ◽  
Bethany Doescher ◽  
Géraldine Lacave ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Antibody Prevalence ◽  
Free Ranging

scholarly journals Aggressive Behaviors of Adult Male Atlantic Spotted Dolphins: Making Signals Count during Intraspecific and Interspecific Conflicts

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-51
Author(s):  
Cassandra L. Volker ◽  
Denise L. Herzing
Keyword(s):  
Adult Male ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Aggressive Behaviors ◽  
Interspecific Aggression ◽  
Behavioral Types ◽  
Stenella Frontalis ◽  
Behavioral Type ◽  
Atlantic Spotted Dolphins

Some species exhibit behavioral plasticity by altering their aggressive behavior based on their opponent. Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are two sympatric species resident to the northern Bahamas. We examined whether groups of adult male spotted dolphins demonstrated behavioral plasticity during two different types of aggressive interactions. We described and compared the types of aggressive behaviors used during intraspecific aggression and interspecific aggression with bottlenose dolphins. Between the years 1991-2004, twenty-two aggressive encounters (11 intraspecific (spotted only), 11 interspecific (spotted vs. bottlenose)) were behaviorally analyzed. Twenty-three specific aggressive Behavioral Events, further grouped into three Behavioral Types, were examined throughout these encounters. Similarities and differences in the use of the Behavioral Types occurred during intra- and interspecific aggression. Groups of male Atlantic spotted dolphins altered their behavior during aggressive encounters with male bottlenose dolphins. Spotted dolphins increased their use of the Pursuit Behavioral Type and did not use the Display Behavioral Type significantly more than the Contact Behavioral Type during interspecific aggression. The increased use of a more overt and energy intensive Behavioral Type, Pursuit, suggests that Atlantic spotted dolphins altered their behavior during aggressive encounters with bottlenose dolphins to compensate during fights with a larger species and/or to effectively communicate with a different species.

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