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Flipper rubbing reciprocity and partner choice in common bottlenose dolphins

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Abstract

The exchange of prosocial behaviors such as grooming may be affected by several factors, including the social structure and social relationships of the individuals. However, studies on the reciprocity of prosocial affiliative behaviors in non-primate animals are limited. Flipper rubbing is considered a prosocial affiliative behavior in dolphins. We investigated the reciprocity of flipper rubbing and tested the following hypotheses in common bottlenose dolphins: trade for tolerance, trade for a reduction in renewed aggressions, the value of flipper rubbing partner, and reciprocity over short and long time frames. There was no correlation between the frequency of flipper rubbing and aggression. Age difference did not affect reciprocal flipper rubbing. Flipper rubbing by former opponents did not increase after aggression. Dolphins did not provide flipper rubbing immediately after receiving flipper rubbing. The exchange of flipper rubbing was more reciprocal over long time frames than over short time frames. Dolphins preferentially rubbed the individuals who rubbed them the most. Pairs who performed flipper rubbing more frequently partook in more reciprocal flipper rubbing than pairs who performed flipper rubbing less frequently. Results suggest that bottlenose dolphins maintain flipper rubbing reciprocity over the long-term via partner choice based on an emotional bookkeeping system.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the member of Shimonoseki Aquarium for their help with our study. We thank Tadamichi Morisaka and Mai Sakai for providing helpful comments.

Funding

This study was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant number 17J02427.

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Correspondence to Chisato Yamamoto.

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Authors declares that they have no conflict of interest.

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Our observation adhered to the Code of Ethics issued by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The institutional guidelines for care of animals were followed. This study approved by Shimonoseki Marine Science Museum.

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Yamamoto, C., Ishibashi, T. Flipper rubbing reciprocity and partner choice in common bottlenose dolphins. J Ethol 40, 49–59 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-021-00729-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-021-00729-8

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