My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our new article in Behavioral Ecology:
Juvenile social dynamics reflect adult reproductive strategies in bottlenose dolphins
Allison A Galezo, Vivienne Foroughirad, Ewa Krzyszczyk, Céline H Frère, Janet Mann
ABSTRACT
The
juvenile period is a challenging life-history stage, especially in
species with a high degree of fission–fusion dynamics, such as
bottlenose dolphins, where maternal protection is virtually absent.
Here, we examined how juvenile male and female bottlenose dolphins
navigate this vulnerable period. Specifically, we examined their
grouping patterns, activity budget, network dynamics, and social
associations in the absence of adults. We found that juveniles live in
highly dynamic groups, with group composition changing every 10 min on
average. Groups were generally segregated by sex, and segregation was
driven by same-sex preference rather than opposite-sex avoidance.
Juveniles formed strong associations with select individuals, especially
kin and same-sex partners, and both sexes formed cliques with their
preferred partners. Sex-specific strategies in the juvenile period
reflected adult reproductive strategies, in which the exploration of
potential social partners may be more important for males (which form
long-term alliances in adulthood) than females (which preferentially
associate with kin in adulthood). Females spent more time alone and were
more focused on foraging than males, but still formed close same-sex
associations, especially with kin. Males cast a wider social net than
females, with strong same-sex associations and many male associates.
Males engaged in more affiliative behavior than females. These results
are consistent with the social bonds and skills hypothesis and suggest
that delayed sexual maturity in species with relational social
complexity may allow individuals to assess potential associates and
explore a complex social landscape without the risks associated with
sexual maturity (e.g., adult reproductive competition; inbreeding).
Cheers,
Allison Galezo
PhD Candidate, Duke University, Alberts Lab