Journal article
Assortative interactions revealed in a fission–fusion society of Australian humpback dolphins
Behavioral Ecology, Vol.30(4), pp.914-927
2019
Abstract
Understanding individual interactions within a community or population provides valuable insight into its social system, ecology, and, ultimately, resilience against external stimuli. Here, we used photo-identification data, generalized affiliation indices, and social network analyses to investigate dyadic relationships, assortative interactions, and social clustering in the Australian humpback dolphin (Sousa sahulensis). Boat-based surveys were conducted between May 2013 and October 2015 around the North West Cape, Western Australia. Our results indicated a fission–fusion society, characterized by nonrandom dyadic relationships. Assortative interactions were identified both within and between sexes and were higher among members of the same sex, indicating same-sex preferred affiliations and sexual segregation. Assortative interactions by geographic locations were also identified, but with no evidence of distinct social communities or clusters or affiliations based on residency patterns. We noted high residency among females. Models of temporal patterns of association demonstrated variable levels of stability, including stable (preferred companionships) and fluid (casual acquaintances) associations. We also demonstrated some social avoidance. Our results point to greater social complexity than previously recognized for humpback dolphins and, along with knowledge of population size and habitat use, provide the necessary baseline upon which to assess the influence of increasing human activities on this endemic, Vulnerable species.
Details
- Title
- Assortative interactions revealed in a fission–fusion society of Australian humpback dolphins
- Authors/Creators
- T.N. Hunt (Author/Creator) - Flinders UniversityS.J. Allen (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaL. Bejder (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityG.J. Parra (Author/Creator) - Flinders University
- Publication Details
- Behavioral Ecology, Vol.30(4), pp.914-927
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Identifiers
- 991005544652007891
- Copyright
- © 2019 Oxford University Press
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology
- 3.35.796 Marine Mammal Ecology
- Web Of Science research areas
- Behavioral Sciences
- Biology
- Ecology
- Zoology
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science