Studies evaluating effects of human activity on wildlife typically emphasize short-term behavioral responses from which it is difficult to infer biological significance or formulate plans mitigate harmful impacts. Based decades detailed records, we evaluated long-term impacts vessel bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Shark Bay, Australia. We compared dolphin abundance within adjacent 36-km2 tourism and control sites, over three consecutive 4.5-year periods wherein research was relatively...

In Shark Bay, wild bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops sp.) apparently use marine sponges as foraging tools. We demonstrate that genetic and ecological explanations for this behavior are inadequate; thus, “sponging” classifies the first case of an existing material culture in a mammal species. Using mitochondrial DNA analyses, we show sponging shows almost exclusive vertical social transmission within single matriline from mother to female offspring. Moreover, significant relatedness among all...

This study examines factors influencing female reproductive success in wild Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) Shark Bay, Australia. Eighty-three females and their 142 calves were surveyed between 1988 1998 (3457 surveys); 42 also observed during focal follows for 1330 h. Calf mortality is 44% by age 3 (n = 110). Reproduction moderately seasonal (September-January), peaking from October to December. loss August December followed rapid conception (1-2 months), whereas delayed...

A fundamental question concerning group-living species is what factors influence the evolution of sociality. Although several studies link adult social bonds to fitness, patterns and relationships are often formed early in life also likely have fitness consequences, particularly with lengthy developmental periods, extensive learning, bond-formation. In a longitudinal study bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.), calf network structure, specifically metric eigenvector centrality, predicted...

The evolutionary forces that drive fitness variation in species are of considerable interest. Despite this, the relative importance and interactions genetic social factors involved evolution traits wild mammalian populations largely unknown. To date, a few studies have demonstrated might be influenced by either or genes natural populations, but none explored how combined effect parameters interact to influence fitness. Drawing from long-term study bottlenose dolphins eastern gulf Shark Bay,...

Two contrasting results emerge from comparisons of the social systems several odontocetes with terrestrial mammals. Researchers have identified remarkable convergence in prominent features such as sperm whale and bottlenose dolphin a few well-known mammals elephant chimpanzee. In contrast, studies on killer whales Baird's beaked reveal novel solutions to aquatic living. The combination convergent odontocete promise more general understanding ecological determinants both habitats, well...

Aggressive behaviour is rarely observed, but may have a large impact on the social structure, relationships and interactions in animal societies. Long-term behavioural study of Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins Shark Bay, Australia, suggests that males are more aggressive than females, use sexual coercion during breeding season, age sex-specific patterns aggression not been well documented. We analyzed tooth rake marks, an indirect measure received conspecific aggression, to determine such by...

Abstract During long‐term research on bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops sp.) in Shark Bay, Western Australia, several individuals were observed carrying sponges, Echinodictyum mesenterinum , their rostra. Over multiple years, five regularly sighted usually sponges when encountered (67–100% of encounters). Four additional with just one time each. All that routinely carried female. Two the anomalous, one‐time carriers female, was likely and male. Most observations sponge occurred within a...

Animal tool use is of inherent interest given its relationship to intelligence, innovation and cultural behaviour. Here we investigate whether Shark Bay bottlenose dolphins that marine sponges as hunting tools (spongers) are culturally distinct from other in the population based on criteria sponging both socially learned distinguishes between groups. We social network analysis determine preferences among 36 spongers 69 non-spongers sampled over a 22-year period while controlling for...

Tool use is rare in wild animals, but of widespread interest because its relationship to animal cognition, social learning and culture. Despite such attention, quantifying the costs benefits tool has been difficult, largely if occurs, all population members typically exhibit behavior. In Shark Bay, Australia, only a subset bottlenose dolphin uses marine sponges as tools, providing an opportunity assess both proximate ultimate document patterns transmission. We compared sponge-carrying...

Abstract It has been proposed that in slow‐growing vertebrate populations survival generally a greater influence on population growth than reproduction. Despite many studies cautioning against such generalizations for conservation, wildlife management still often focuses perturbing without careful evaluation as to whether those changes are likely or feasible. Here, we evaluate the relative importance of reproduction and conservation two bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops cf aduncus ) populations:...

To determine whether allomaternal care occurs among bottlenose dolphins, we examined patterns of association and mother-infant separations for eight infants (164.4 focal h) during the first 3 months life. During week life, three inexperienced females (nullipara mothers that did not survive newborn period) attempted to take from their 13 times. Mothers responded by rapidly retrieving infant threatening female. By second week, consistently allowed same escort tens metres away them, suggesting...

Abstract Hormonal profiles of captive individuals show that bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) are seasonally polyoestrous, but little is known reproductive behaviour among free-ranging dolphins. In Shark Bay, Western Australia, we have documented for the first time patterns female attractiveness may correspond to multiple oestrous cycles. Male in stable alliances 2-3 form temporary consortships with individual females. Consortships often established and maintained by aggressive herding....

Foraging behaviors of bottlenose dolphins vary within and among populations, but few studies attempt to address the causes individual variation in foraging behavior. We examined how ecological, social, developmental factors relate use a rare tactic by wild (Tursiops sp. Gervais, 1855) Shark Bay, Western Australia. Beach hunting involves partial nearly complete stranding on beach shores. Over 10 years observation, only four adults their calves were observed more than 1 year. Of two adult...

Male bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Shark Bay have one of the most complex male societies outside humans. Two broad mating strategies been identified males. In first strategy, there are two types alliances: stable'first–order' pairs and trios that herd individual females reproductive condition, 'second–order' teams first–order alliances (five or six individuals) join forces against rivals contests for females. alternative a 'super–alliance' ca. 14 individuals, males form to females,...

Abstract Sexually mature male bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay cooperate by pursuing distinct alliance strategies to monopolize females reproductive condition. We present the results of a comprehensive study wild cetacean population test whether membership is prerequisite for success. compared two methods inferring paternity: both calculate likelihood ratio, called paternity index, between opposing hypotheses, but they differ way that significance applied data. The first method, Bayesian...