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Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the following paper recently published in
Behavioural Processes.
Dudzinski KM, Gregg JD, Paulos RD, Kuczaj II, SA. 2010. A comparison
of pectoral fin contact behaviour for three distinct dolphin
populations. Behavioural Processes. 84: 559-567.
Abstract
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.
The final version of this article with full bibliographic details is
now available online at:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2010.02.013
Alternatively, reprints are available from the first author via email ([email protected]
)
Thanks!
Kathleen
Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D.
Director, Dolphin Communication Project
[email protected]
www.dolphincommunicationproject.org
www.thedolphinpod.com
P.O. Box 711
Old Mystic, CT 06372-0711
mobile: 1-860-514-4704
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