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Social structure of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) off Bimini, The Bahamas (2003–2016): alternate reasons for preferential association in delphinids

acta ethologica volume 23, pages 9–21 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Social systems are characterized by the associations and interactions between individuals. For highly social groups such as delphinids, understanding the demographics and long-term association patterns of a population is the first step in interpreting its overall social structure and specific relationships between individuals. This study investigated the social patterns of a population of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) off Bimini, The Bahamas, during a 14-year period (2003–2016). We generated association indices and conducted cluster, network, and temporal analyses using SOCPROG 2.8. Dolphins in this population display long-term, year-round residency around Bimini, as well as long-term preferences in association with a combination of rapid disassociation, constant companions, and casual acquaintances. We found no evidence of distinct social clusters within the study group; however, we discovered at least one subgroup with higher association than the rest of the population. This group was composed of male spotted dolphins, which overall tended to associate together more than females and chose companions with similar levels of association to themselves. Despite strong relationships between males, we found no evidence for the existence of alliances or coalitions. This study provides a baseline understanding of the social structure of this population that will allow us to investigate the variable relationships between individuals, in addition to exploring the effects of demographic changes within the resident population.

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Data availability statement

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Dolphin Communication Project (DCP) for support with data collection and dolphin identifications, which were completed over the years with assistance from K. DeStefano, D. Blanding, and seasonal interns from 2003 to 2016. This study was carried out as part of the lead author’s doctoral dissertation in the Graduate Program in Integrative Biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. This paper was greatly improved by the comments of two anonymous reviewers.

Funding

Major funding and support for data collection from 2003 to 2016 were provided by DCP, Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, Bill & Nowdla Keefe’s Bimini Undersea, the At-Sea Processors’ Association Pollock Conservation Cooperative Fund at Alaska Pacific University, the Department of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and Al Sweeting, Jr. The manuscript represents contribution #120 from DCP.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Rd, Dartmouth, MA, 02747, USA

    Nicole A. Danaher-Garcia

  2. Dolphin Communication Project, P.O. Box 7485, Port St. Lucie, FL, 34985, USA

    Nicole A. Danaher-Garcia, Kelly Melillo-Sweeting & Kathleen M. Dudzinski

Authors
  1. Nicole A. Danaher-Garcia
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  2. Kelly Melillo-Sweeting
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  3. Kathleen M. Dudzinski
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Correspondence to Nicole A. Danaher-Garcia.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. Permits to conduct scientific study on the dolphins around Bimini were obtained annually by DCP from the Department of Fisheries (Marine Resources), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Local Government, Nassau, The Bahamas. This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

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Danaher-Garcia, N.A., Melillo-Sweeting, K. & Dudzinski, K.M. Social structure of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) off Bimini, The Bahamas (2003–2016): alternate reasons for preferential association in delphinids. acta ethol 23, 9–21 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-019-00329-3

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