Document Detail


A comparison of pectoral fin contact behaviour for three distinct dolphin populations.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20176094     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Tactile exchanges involving the pectoral fin have been documented in a variety of dolphin species. Several functions (e.g., social, hygienic) have been offered as possible explanations for when and why dolphins exchange pectoral fin contacts. In this study, we compared pectoral fin contact between dolphin dyads from three distinct dolphin populations: two groups of wild dolphins; Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) from The Bahamas and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) from around Mikura Island, Japan; and one group of captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) residing at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences, Anthony's Key Resort. A number of similarities were observed between the captive and wild groups, including; rates of pectoral fin contact, which dolphin initiated contact, posture preference, and same-sex rubbing partner preference. Unlike their wild counterparts, however, dolphins in the captive study group engaged in petting and rubbing at equal rates, females were more likely to contact males, males assumed the various rubbing roles more frequently than females, and calves and juveniles were more likely to be involved in pectoral fin contact exchanges. These results suggest that some aspects of pectoral fin contact behaviour might be common to many dolphin species, whereas other aspects could be species specific, or could be the result of differing environmental and social conditions.
Authors:
Kathleen M Dudzinski; Justin D Gregg; Robin D Paulos; Stan A Kuczaj
Related Documents :
2509164 - Hemorrheological investigation on healthy natives and immigrants at 3658 m above sea le...
21432284 - Daily lifestyles and anti-mutagenicity of saliva.
16079884 - Relationships of c-reactive protein, uric acid, and glomerular filtration rate to arter...
8722624 - Chemical cues are necessary but insufficient for reproductive activation of female pine...
21527314 - Transcranial direct current stimulation influences the cardiac autonomic nervous control.
5763964 - Pilot study of old-age pensioners.
Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.     Date:  2010-02-20
Journal Detail:
Title:  Behavioural processes     Volume:  84     ISSN:  1872-8308     ISO Abbreviation:  Behav. Processes     Publication Date:  2010 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-05-17     Completed Date:  2010-08-13     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7703854     Medline TA:  Behav Processes     Country:  Netherlands    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  559-67     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Dolphin Communication Project, Old Mystic, CT 06372-0711, USA. kathleen@dcpmail.org
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aging
Animals
Animals, Wild
Bahamas
Behavior, Animal
Bottle-Nosed Dolphin / psychology*
Female
Japan
Male
Posture
Sex Characteristics
Social Behavior*
Species Specificity
Stenella / psychology*
Touch
Video Recording

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  THE EFFECTS OF FOOD PRESENTATION AT REGULAR OR IRREGULAR TIMES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACTIVITY-BASED ...
Next Document:  Construction and in vitro characterization of an optimized porosity-enabled amalgamated matrix for s...