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.
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:
Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Ph.D.
Director, Dolphin Communication Project
P.O. Box 711
Old Mystic, CT 06372-0711
mobile: 1-860-514-4704