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Evidence of social learning mechanisms and teaching behavior of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) by mother dolphins foraging in the presence of calves

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Date Issued:
2005
Summary:
The present study examined the alteration of benthic foraging behavior by mother Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) when foraging in the presence of their calves in comparison to the foraging behaviors of the mothers when the calves were not present. The mother dolphins chased prey significantly longer and made significantly more body-orienting movements during foraging in which calves were present. In 5 of the events where the calves were present the prey was not eaten by the mother, but instead the calves were allowed to pursue the prey and were confirmed to have eaten the prey in 3 of the foraging events, even though the calves were still nursing. Additionally, this altered foraging behavior only occurred in the presence of their naive calves. Therefore, the present study may be evidence of teaching as a potential social learning mechanism of foraging behavior by Atlantic spotted dolphins.
Title: Evidence of social learning mechanisms and teaching behavior of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) by mother dolphins foraging in the presence of calves.
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Name(s): Bortot, Courtney Elizabeth.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Bjorklund, David F., Thesis advisor
Herzing, Denise L., Thesis advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2005
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 48 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: The present study examined the alteration of benthic foraging behavior by mother Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) when foraging in the presence of their calves in comparison to the foraging behaviors of the mothers when the calves were not present. The mother dolphins chased prey significantly longer and made significantly more body-orienting movements during foraging in which calves were present. In 5 of the events where the calves were present the prey was not eaten by the mother, but instead the calves were allowed to pursue the prey and were confirmed to have eaten the prey in 3 of the foraging events, even though the calves were still nursing. Additionally, this altered foraging behavior only occurred in the presence of their naive calves. Therefore, the present study may be evidence of teaching as a potential social learning mechanism of foraging behavior by Atlantic spotted dolphins.
Identifier: 9780542408809 (isbn), 13299 (digitool), FADT13299 (IID), fau:10151 (fedora)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2005.
Subject(s): Bottlenose dolphin--Feeding and feeds
Social behavior in animals
Cetacea--Behavior
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13299
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.