Abstract:
The dynamics and drivers of inter-species interactions in the wild are poorly understood, particularly those involving social animal species. Inter-species interactions between cetaceans and sirenians have rarely been documented and investigated. Here, we report 10 cases of interaction initiated by adult bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) towards Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus). Interactions were documented through behavioral observations in the wild (n = 7) and from the examination of orphaned calves (i.e., tooth rake marks on their body; n = 4) that entered a rehabilitation facility, one individual both observed interacting with dolphins and found stranded with bite marks. Bottlenose dolphins were observed interacting with orphan manatee calves and with mother-calf pairs, exhibiting agonistic behavior (n = 2), affiliative or neutral behaviors (n = 1), but the behavioral contexts of these interactions remain unclear in most cases (n = 7). Information on stranded individuals was collected from four calves (of 13 examined calves) recovered in poor condition with bottlenose dolphin tooth rakes and bite wounds on their bodies, one of which died. Injury from bite wounds varied in extent and severity, ranging from superficial scratches leaving rake marks to deep lacerations. Our findings suggest the regular occurrence of agonistic behaviors initiated by adult bottlenose dolphins and directed toward manatee calves. However, the drivers of these interactions remain unknown and need to be further investigated.
摘要:
野生物种间相互作用的动态和驱动因素知之甚少,特别是那些涉及社会动物物种的。鲸目动物和sirenians之间的种间相互作用很少被记录和研究。这里,我们报告了10例由成年宽吻海豚(Tursiopstruncatus)向Antillean海牛(Trichechusmanatus)发起的相互作用。通过在野外的行为观察(n=7)和对孤立小牛的检查(即,他们身上的牙耙痕迹;n=4)进入康复机构,一个人都观察到与海豚的互动,并发现有咬痕。观察到瓶嘴海豚与孤儿海牛小牛和母牛对相互作用,表现出激动行为(n=2),从属或中性行为(n=1),但在大多数情况下(n=7),这些相互作用的行为背景仍不清楚。有关被困个体的信息是从四只条件不佳的小牛(13只接受检查的小牛)收集的,这些小牛身上有宽吻海豚耙齿和咬伤,其中一人死亡。咬伤造成的伤害程度和严重程度各不相同,从留下耙痕的表面划痕到深深的撕裂。我们的发现表明,成年宽吻海豚经常发生针对海牛小牛的激动行为。然而,这些相互作用的驱动因素仍然未知,需要进一步研究.