Further evidence of a context-specific agonistic signal in bottlenose dolphins: the influence of consortships and group size on the pop vocalization
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Pops are a low-frequency, pulsed vocalization produced by Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops cf. aduncus) in Shark Bay, Western Australia and are often heard when male alliances are consorting or ‘herding’ a female. Previous research indicated that pops produced in this context are an agonistic ‘come-hither’ demand produced by males and directed at female consorts. Here we examine pop occurrence during focal follows on bottlenose dolphin alliances with and without female consorts present. Regression analysis was conducted to determine if pop numbers were higher in the presence of female consorts, and if variables including group size alone and the interaction between presence/absence of a consortship and group size, influenced pop production. While the presence or absence of a consortship significantly affected the number of pops, average group size had no significant effect on pop production. Our research provides further evidence that the pop vocalization plays an important role in consortships.
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Further evidence of a context-specific agonistic signal in bottlenose dolphins: the influence of consortships and group size on the pop vocalization
In: BehaviourSearch for other papers by Nicole L. Vollmer in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Lee-Ann C. Hayek in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Michael R. Heithaus in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Richard C. Connor in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Pops are a low-frequency, pulsed vocalization produced by Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops cf. aduncus) in Shark Bay, Western Australia and are often heard when male alliances are consorting or ‘herding’ a female. Previous research indicated that pops produced in this context are an agonistic ‘come-hither’ demand produced by males and directed at female consorts. Here we examine pop occurrence during focal follows on bottlenose dolphin alliances with and without female consorts present. Regression analysis was conducted to determine if pop numbers were higher in the presence of female consorts, and if variables including group size alone and the interaction between presence/absence of a consortship and group size, influenced pop production. While the presence or absence of a consortship significantly affected the number of pops, average group size had no significant effect on pop production. Our research provides further evidence that the pop vocalization plays an important role in consortships.
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 596 | 113 | 12 |
| Full Text Views | 223 | 12 | 1 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 77 | 14 | 0 |