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Title: Molecular Assessment of Mating Strategies in a Population of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins.
Creator: Green, Michelle L., Herzing, Denise L., Baldwin, John D., Wang, Hanping
Abstract/Description: Similar to other small cetacean species, Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) have been the object of concentrated behavioral study. Although mating and courtship behaviors occur often and the social structure of the population is well-studied, the genetic mating system of the species is unknown. To assess the genetic mating system, we genotyped females and their progeny at ten microsatellite loci. Genotype analysis provided estimates of the minimum number of male sires necessary to...
Show moreSimilar to other small cetacean species, Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) have been the object of concentrated behavioral study. Although mating and courtship behaviors occur often and the social structure of the population is well-studied, the genetic mating system of the species is unknown. To assess the genetic mating system, we genotyped females and their progeny at ten microsatellite loci. Genotype analysis provided estimates of the minimum number of male sires necessary to account for the allelic diversity observed among the progeny. Using the estimates of male sires, we determined whether females mated with the same or different males during independent estrus events. Using GERUD2.0, a minimum of two males was necessary to account for the genetic variation seen among progeny arrays of all tested females. ML-RELATE assigned the most likely relationship between offspring pairs; half or full sibling. Relationship analysis supported the conservative male estimates of GERUD2.0 but in some cases, half or full sibling relationships between offspring could not be fully resolved. Integrating the results from GERUD2.0, ML-RELATE with previous observational and paternity data, we constructed two-, three-, and four-male pedigree models for each genotyped female. Because increased genetic diversity of offspring may explain multi-male mating, we assessed the internal genetic relatedness of each offspring’s genotype to determine whether parent pairs of offspring were closely related. We found varying levels of internal relatedness ranging from unrelated to closely related (range -0.136–0.321). Because there are several hypothesized explanations for multi-male mating, we assessed our data to determine the most plausible explanation for multi-male mating in our study system. Our study indicated females may benefit from mating with multiple males by passing genes for long-term viability to their young.
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Date Issued: 2015-02-18
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUIR000070
Format: Citation

Title: Association Patterns of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, Stenellafrontalis, in the Bahamas.
Creator: Welsh, Lillian S., Herzing, Denise L., Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: This study examined the coefficients of association (COAs) of Atlantic spotted dolphins, Stenellafrontalis, in the Bahamas that have been part of a long-term underwater observational study since 1985. First, three social units were designated based on analysis of association indices. The units appeared to coincide with clusters of individuals with similar ranges; however, there were insufficient ranging data to determine whether the social units were separate geographical units. The...
Show moreThis study examined the coefficients of association (COAs) of Atlantic spotted dolphins, Stenellafrontalis, in the Bahamas that have been part of a long-term underwater observational study since 1985. First, three social units were designated based on analysis of association indices. The units appeared to coincide with clusters of individuals with similar ranges; however, there were insufficient ranging data to determine whether the social units were separate geographical units. The associations within and between these social units were analyzed to determine whether the units comprised separate communities. Results indicated that separate communities did not exist. Analysis of association indices of the 26 individuals with known relatives demonstrated that there is preferential association among kin. Also, effects of social segregation based on sex and age class, which are evident in the population as a whole, are absent in kin dyads.
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Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000843
Subject Headings: Dolphins--Bahamas--Geographical distribution, Social behavior in animals--Bahamas
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Evidence of social learning mechanisms and teaching behavior of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) by mother dolphins foraging in the presence of calves.
Creator: Bortot, Courtney Elizabeth., Florida Atlantic University, Bjorklund, David F., Herzing, Denise L.
Abstract/Description: 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...
Show moreThe 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.
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Date Issued: 2005
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13299
Subject Headings: Bottlenose dolphin--Feeding and feeds, Social behavior in animals, Cetacea--Behavior
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Marine tucuxi in Sepetiba Bay: Why do they form aggregations?.
Creator: Dias, Laura Aichinger, Herzing, Denise L., Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: Between August 2005 and December 2006, 139 boat surveys were conducted in Sepetiba Bay, Brazil to sample behavioral patterns and environmental parameters during the occurrence of marine tucuxi groups and aggregations. Aggregations were defined as several groups gathered in an area totaling more than 100 animals, usually engaged in a specific behavior. A total of 65 aggregations (x=177) and 192 groups (x=18) were recorded. Marine tucuxi groups and aggregations differed regarding behavioral...
Show moreBetween August 2005 and December 2006, 139 boat surveys were conducted in Sepetiba Bay, Brazil to sample behavioral patterns and environmental parameters during the occurrence of marine tucuxi groups and aggregations. Aggregations were defined as several groups gathered in an area totaling more than 100 animals, usually engaged in a specific behavior. A total of 65 aggregations (x=177) and 192 groups (x=18) were recorded. Marine tucuxi groups and aggregations differed regarding behavioral activity, geographical location and age composition. Aggregations were temporal associations of several marine tucuxi groups performing foraging/feeding activities probably in response to prey species, abundance, and distribution. Aggregations were primarily located at the interior of the Bay where local topography may aid dolphins in pursuing and herding schools of prey. Presence of neonates and calves was highly correlated with aggregations, reflecting the potential importance aggregations have in the protection, developmental and learning processes of younger animals.
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Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000744
Subject Headings: Tucuxi--Habitat--Brazil--Sepetiba Bay, River dolphins--Brazil--Sepetiba Bay, Animal communication, River dolphins--Behavior--Brazil--Sepetiba Bay
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The social development of free-ranging Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) in the Bahamas.
Creator: Moewe, Kelly Kathleen, Florida Atlantic University, Herzing, Denise L.
Abstract/Description: This study documented the behavioral development of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) in the Bahamas. 45 three-minute video-taped sequences of underwater social behavior (aggression, courtship, play), spanning from 1992 to 1996, were selected for ethological analysis and were broken down into 15 adult, 15 juvenile and 15 mixed age class sequences. Continuous focal sub-group sampling was conducted, and one-tailed Kruskal-Wallis ANOVAs were used to test for differences between the...
Show moreThis study documented the behavioral development of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) in the Bahamas. 45 three-minute video-taped sequences of underwater social behavior (aggression, courtship, play), spanning from 1992 to 1996, were selected for ethological analysis and were broken down into 15 adult, 15 juvenile and 15 mixed age class sequences. Continuous focal sub-group sampling was conducted, and one-tailed Kruskal-Wallis ANOVAs were used to test for differences between the age groups in frequencies of occurrence of: (1) the 7 behavioral categories, and (2) the 8 most frequently performed behavioral events. Juveniles performed significantly more Other behaviors and Attention to Object events than adults, suggesting the importance of play within this social species. A Mann-Whitney U test revealed that within mixed age classes, behaviors were performed within combined-age-class groups more often than within single-age-class groups, suggesting a participatory mode of learning within juveniles.
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Date Issued: 2001
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12832
Subject Headings: Atlantic spotted dolphin, Dolphins--Behavior, Social behavior in animals
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: An underwater analysis of the behavioral development of free-ranging Atlantic spotted dolphin calves (birth to 4 years of age).
Creator: Bayer, Jessica Ann., Florida Atlantic University, Herzing, Denise L.
Abstract/Description: 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...
Show moreThis 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.
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Date Issued: 2001
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12847
Subject Headings: Atlantic spotted dolphin, Dolphins--Behavior, Parental behavior in animals
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Signature whistles in Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis): Qualitative and quantitative analysis of mothers and offspring.
Creator: Bebus, Sara E., Florida Atlantic University, Herzing, Denise L.
Abstract/Description: The signature whistles of related Atlantic spotted dolphins ( Stenella frontalis) in the Bahamas were evaluated for similarity. Judges compared the contour patterns of signature whistles pair-wise between 19 dolphins. Whistle parameters between the signature whistles of individuals were statistically compared. There were no significant differences between the signature whistles of male and female calves when the similarity of their whistles was compared to their mothers. However, there was a...
Show moreThe signature whistles of related Atlantic spotted dolphins ( Stenella frontalis) in the Bahamas were evaluated for similarity. Judges compared the contour patterns of signature whistles pair-wise between 19 dolphins. Whistle parameters between the signature whistles of individuals were statistically compared. There were no significant differences between the signature whistles of male and female calves when the similarity of their whistles was compared to their mothers. However, there was a tendency with female calves more likely to produce signature whistles similar to their mothers' whistles. Three out of five female calves produced signature whistles that were "very similar" or "similar" to the signature whistles of their mothers. Two out of four male calves produced signature whistles that were "similar" to the signature whistles of their mothers. The signature whistles of mother and calf pairs were more likely to be "similar" to each other than the signature whistles of sibling pairs.
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Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13408
Subject Headings: Dolphins--Physiology, Animal communication, Atlantic spotted dolphin--Behavior, Animal sounds
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Aggressive Behaviors Of Adult Male Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis) During Intraspecific And Interspecific Aggressive Interactions.
Creator: Volker, Cassandra L., Herzing, Denise L., Hughes, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are two sympatric species resident to the Bahamas. The visibility of the Bahamian water provided a unique opportunity to study spotted dolphin communication during aggression. This study’s main focus was to decipher any similarities or differences in the behaviors used by spotted dolphins during interspecific and intraspecific aggression. Both similarities and differences were discovered. Biting,...
Show moreAtlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are two sympatric species resident to the Bahamas. The visibility of the Bahamian water provided a unique opportunity to study spotted dolphin communication during aggression. This study’s main focus was to decipher any similarities or differences in the behaviors used by spotted dolphins during interspecific and intraspecific aggression. Both similarities and differences were discovered. Biting, following, and chasing behavioral events were used more during interspecific aggression, while the display behavioral class was used more than the contact behavioral class during intrabut not interspecific aggression. This study showed that spotted dolphins use more energy intensive and risky behaviors when fighting interspecifically. This could result from having to fight and defend females from a larger species, trying to avoid sexual harassment from bottlenose males, or needing to use behaviors that are more overt and easily understood during interspecies communication.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004638, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004638
Subject Headings: Atlantic spotted dolphin--Bahamas., Aggressive behavior in animals., Social behavior in animals., Aquatic mammals--Behavior., Predation (Biology), Predatory marine animals--Ecology.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Site Fidelity Assessment of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) Following Large-Scale Emigration of Sympatric Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis) in the Bahamas.
Creator: Kuhn, Sommer L., Herzing, Denise L., Hughes, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Two sympatric species of dolphins (Atlantic spotted dolphins, Stenella frontalis and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus) have been long-term residents to Little Bahama Bank. This study assessed whether there was a change in residence patterns or diurnal foraging depths of bottlenose dolphins following a large emigration event in the resident spotted dolphin community on this sandbank. Photo-identification was used to identify individual bottlenose dolphins and compare pooled...
Show moreTwo sympatric species of dolphins (Atlantic spotted dolphins, Stenella frontalis and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus) have been long-term residents to Little Bahama Bank. This study assessed whether there was a change in residence patterns or diurnal foraging depths of bottlenose dolphins following a large emigration event in the resident spotted dolphin community on this sandbank. Photo-identification was used to identify individual bottlenose dolphins and compare pooled years before (2010-2012) and after (2013-2015) the spotted dolphin emigration. The identified community size and overall residency of the bottlenose dolphins remained similar, although two bottlenose dolphins emigrated over deep water to the site spotted dolphins emigrated. Bottlenose dolphins diurnally fed in shallower water but remained in the same geographic foraging locations. Reasons remain unknown for this depth change, but potential changes in the productivity of primary bottlenose dolphin foraging habitats or reduction of spotted dolphins from shallower depths remain possibilities.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004927, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004927
Subject Headings: Bottlenose dolphin--Habitat--Bahamas--Little Bahama Bank., Bottlenose dolphin--Effect of habitat modification on., Atlantic spotted dolphin--Habitat--Bahamas--Little Bahama Bank., Dolphins--Atlantic Ocean--Geographical distribution., Social behavior in animals.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Personality Traits in Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella Frontalis): Syndromes and Predictors of Neophilia.
Creator: Skrzypczak, Nathan, Herzing, Denise L., Detwiler, Kate M., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Personality is defined as inter-individual variation of behavioral traits while maintaining intra-individual stability. The focus of this study was to observe distinct personality trait categories, establish baseline personality trait phenotypes for the juvenile population, and compare the personality phenotypes between different categories, such as sex or generation. Three personality traits were studied—sociability, curiousity, and boldness—based on the percentage of time individuals spent...
Show morePersonality is defined as inter-individual variation of behavioral traits while maintaining intra-individual stability. The focus of this study was to observe distinct personality trait categories, establish baseline personality trait phenotypes for the juvenile population, and compare the personality phenotypes between different categories, such as sex or generation. Three personality traits were studied—sociability, curiousity, and boldness—based on the percentage of time individuals spent with conspecifics, human researchers, and their mothers, respectively. The surveyed individuals significantly varied positively and negatively from the means of each trait, and no significant difference for any trait was found between males and females, or across time periods. A moderately strong correlation was discovered between two personality traits, boldness and curiousity, suggesting a personality syndrome. The second primary goal was to use the aforementioned baseline to determine if personality traits can be used to predict neophilic behavior specific to human-dolphin communication research. Six of the study subjects were more prone than their peers to engage with the two-way work, and these individuals were more bold—spent less time with their mothers—than the other subjects. This suggests that boldness has some predictive capabilities towards this type of neophilia.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004680, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004680
Subject Headings: Animal behavior, Animal societies, Atlantic spotted dolphin -- Behavior -- Research, Cognition in animals, Social behavior in animals
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Synchrony in adult male Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis) during aggression.
Creator: Myers, Alyson J., Bjorklund, David F., Herzing, Denise L., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
Abstract/Description: Synchrony between Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) is crucial for successfully fending off bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) during interspecies aggression. The present study examined synchrony in adult Atlantic spotted dolphins during aggressive encounters with bottlenose dolphins. Across group size, aggressive behavioral events increased preceding synchrony, peaked during synchrony, and decreased dramatically after synchrony. Although smaller groups ( 10 dolphins),...
Show moreSynchrony between Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) is crucial for successfully fending off bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) during interspecies aggression. The present study examined synchrony in adult Atlantic spotted dolphins during aggressive encounters with bottlenose dolphins. Across group size, aggressive behavioral events increased preceding synchrony, peaked during synchrony, and decreased dramatically after synchrony. Although smaller groups (< 10 dolphins) became synchronous more frequently than larger groups (> 10 dolphins), larger groups remained synchronous longer; however, smaller groups exhibited more frequent aggressive behavioral events during synchrony, suggesting that additional aggressive behaviors may be necessary to compensate for the small group size, whereas larger groups may be able to rely on synchrony alone. Disorganized squawk bouts synchronized as physical synchrony began, but only if coupled with escalating aggressive behaviors. The synchrony during aggressive episodes observed in adult Atlantic spotted dolphins can be used as a baseline to determine the process of the development of this critical skill in juveniles.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004454
Subject Headings: Atlantic spotted dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin -- Behavior -- Research, Bottle nose dolphin, Bottle nose dolphin -- Behavior -- Research, Dolphins, Social behavior in animals
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Reproductive success of male Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) revealed by noninvasive genetic analysis of paternity.
Creator: Green, Michelle L., Herzing, Denise L., Baldwin, John D.
Date Issued: 2011-03
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/flvc_fau_islandoraimporter_10.1139_Z10-111_1631733445
Format: Citation

Title: FAU Climate Change Initiative Priority Theme: Research, Engineering, and Adaption to a Change Climate.
Creator: Berry, Leonard, Koch, Marguerite, Center for Environmental Studies, Benscoter, Brian, Comas, Xavier, Devlin, Donna, Fadiman, Maria, Gerstein, E., Herzing, Denise L., Hindle, Tobin, Milton, Sarah L., Oleinik, Anton E., Proffitt, C. Edward, Restrepo, Jorge I., Root, Tara L., Wyneken, Jeanette, Xie, Zhixiao, Zhang, Xing-Hai, Esnard, Ann-Margaret, Mitsova, Diana, Murley, J., Vos, J., Escaleras, Monica, Mehallis, M., Shaw, Eric H., Hardman, Guillermo [John], Lambert, Julie, Thomas, G., Arockiasamy, Madasamy, Bloetscher, Frederick, Carvalho, G., Dhanak, Manhar R., Frisk, George V., Kaisar, Evangelos I., Kalva, Hari, Meeroff, Daniel E., Rodriguez, Jarice, Scarlatos, Panagiotis (Pete) D., Shankar, Ravi, Teegavarapu, Ramesh, Brown, Clifford T., McAfee, Francis, Widener, Patricia, Dalgleish, Fraser R., Hanisak, M. Dennis, McMulloch, S., O'Corry-Crowe, Gregory, Pomponi, Shirley A., Reed, John K., Scarpa, John, Voss, Joshua, Heimlich, Barry N., Alvarez, R., Jolley, J., Edwards, A., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, College of Business, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, College of Education, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00003457
Format: Citation

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Social behavior in animals (3)	+ -
Animal communication (2)	+ -
Atlantic spotted dolphin (2)	+ -
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