Conspecific scarring on wild belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) in Cunningham Inlet
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Abstract
Intra-specific aggression is not frequently observed in wild cetaceans, including belugas. One proxy, identified in past research, that indicates past aggressive behaviour is the presence of rake marks (scars left on skin by the teeth of conspecifics). Behavioural observations of belugas, compared to bottlenose dolphins, suggest that belugas engage in less physically aggressive behaviour; yet, a detailed study of beluga aggressive behaviour remains to be conducted. Beluga intra-specific aggression was assessed by scoring photographs taken from July to August in 2015 at Cunningham Inlet, Canada for the presence/absence and body location of rake marks. Of the 252 belugas analysed, 44% had rake marks. The results suggest that physical aggression occurs comparatively less with only half of the observed beluga population having rake marks compared to almost all bottlenose dolphins previously surveyed. We suggest social structure, skin pigmentation, and/or species-specific behaviours as explanations for the differences in rake marks among species.
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Conspecific scarring on wild belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) in Cunningham Inlet
In: BehaviourSearch for other papers by Jackson R. Ham in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Malin K. Lilley in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Heather M. Manitzas Hill in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Intra-specific aggression is not frequently observed in wild cetaceans, including belugas. One proxy, identified in past research, that indicates past aggressive behaviour is the presence of rake marks (scars left on skin by the teeth of conspecifics). Behavioural observations of belugas, compared to bottlenose dolphins, suggest that belugas engage in less physically aggressive behaviour; yet, a detailed study of beluga aggressive behaviour remains to be conducted. Beluga intra-specific aggression was assessed by scoring photographs taken from July to August in 2015 at Cunningham Inlet, Canada for the presence/absence and body location of rake marks. Of the 252 belugas analysed, 44% had rake marks. The results suggest that physical aggression occurs comparatively less with only half of the observed beluga population having rake marks compared to almost all bottlenose dolphins previously surveyed. We suggest social structure, skin pigmentation, and/or species-specific behaviours as explanations for the differences in rake marks among species.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 1016 | 193 | 13 |
| Full Text Views | 55 | 9 | 2 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 105 | 21 | 5 |