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underwater analysis of the behavioral development of free-ranging Atlantic spotted dolphin calves (birth to 4 years of age)

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Date Issued:
2001
Summary:
This investigation is the first to focus on the underwater behaviors and development of free-ranging Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) mothers and calves. Underwater video recordings of 30 mother/calf pairs, during the calves' first three years of life, and 10 additional videos of four-year-old calves, were analyzed. Behavioral event frequencies were compared to the calf's age bracket (i.e. year-one, two, three and four). Results demonstrate an increase in calf independence in year-four shown by a significant reduction in Nursing Act behaviors, significantly more Feeding/Foraging behaviors, and increased behaviors performed in the proximity of individuals other than the mother or alone. No strong evidence was found for increased maternal rejection behaviors near the end of the estimated weaning period. Additionally, results indicate that, for select behaviors, synchronicity may be increasingly expressed over time. Few differences in behavioral frequency and type were observed between calf genders and between mothers of each gender.
Title: An underwater analysis of the behavioral development of free-ranging Atlantic spotted dolphin calves (birth to 4 years of age).
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Name(s): Bayer, Jessica Ann.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Herzing, Denise L., Thesis advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2001
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 64 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: This investigation is the first to focus on the underwater behaviors and development of free-ranging Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) mothers and calves. Underwater video recordings of 30 mother/calf pairs, during the calves' first three years of life, and 10 additional videos of four-year-old calves, were analyzed. Behavioral event frequencies were compared to the calf's age bracket (i.e. year-one, two, three and four). Results demonstrate an increase in calf independence in year-four shown by a significant reduction in Nursing Act behaviors, significantly more Feeding/Foraging behaviors, and increased behaviors performed in the proximity of individuals other than the mother or alone. No strong evidence was found for increased maternal rejection behaviors near the end of the estimated weaning period. Additionally, results indicate that, for select behaviors, synchronicity may be increasingly expressed over time. Few differences in behavioral frequency and type were observed between calf genders and between mothers of each gender.
Identifier: 9780493418094 (isbn), 12847 (digitool), FADT12847 (IID), fau:9721 (fedora)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2001.
Subject(s): Atlantic spotted dolphin
Dolphins--Behavior
Parental behavior in animals
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12847
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.
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Host Institution: FAU