Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the publication of
our recent paper on PLOS ONE:
Title: Monica F. Blasi and Luigi Boitani (2014). Complex Social Structure of an Endangered Population of Bottlenose Dolphins
(Tursiops truncatus) in the Aeolian
Archipelago (Italy)
Abstract: We investigated social structure and association patterns for a small
population of Mediterranean bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus,
inhabiting the Aeolian Archipelago (southern Italy). Specifically we evaluate
the role of sex and age composition, residency patterns and interaction with
trammel nets on this social organization. Association data for 23 regularly
sighted individuals were obtained from summer photoidentification surveys
collected from 2005–2012. Using a combined cluster and social network analysis
approach, we found associations between dolphins were hierarchically
structured, where two mixed-sex social units were subdivided into smaller
temporarily dynamic groups. We found non-random and long-term preferred
associations in the population; however, the degree of social cohesion,
residence pattern and interaction with trammel nets differed considerably
between the two social units. Six of eight females occurred in the more
resident social unit-1; in addition, social unit-1 individuals had
significantly stronger associations, higher preferred associates, lived in
larger groups and occurred less frequently with trammel nets. Nine of eleven
males were clustered in social unit-2 and five of these males, interacting with
trammel nets, formed small groups and preferred associations. We propose that
female and male groups associate in the study area during the breeding season
and that some males choose to interact with reproductive females forming a
distinct but interrelated social unit. Other males may be associating in a
larger fission-fusion network, which consists of dolphins that appear to
temporarily join the network from the coastal population. We cannot exclude
that some males specialized in trammel net foraging, suggesting that this
foraging technique may favor a solitary lifestyle. Large group sizes and high
degree of social cohesion for females could be an indication of greater
protection and more efficiency in detecting, deterring or repelling
anthropogenic pressures. Most likely dolphins' social organization depends on a
combination of socio-ecological, demographic and anthropogenic factors.
You can find the paper at the link: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0114849
Sincerely,
Monica F. Blasi
Filicudi WildLife Conservation
Località Stimpagnato, Filicudi, 98055 Lipari (ME), Italy
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Monica F. Blasi, PhD
Ass. FILICUDI WildLife Conservation
Località Stimpagnato Filicudi; 98055 Lipari (ME), Italia
www.filicudiconservation.com
cel: +39 3494402021
email: blasimf@yahoo.com
info@filicudiconservation.com