A preliminary study of social behavior in captive mature male and female Commerson’s dolphins (<i>Cephalorhynchus commersonii</i>)

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  • Hasegawa Hina
    Marine Mammal Research Laboratory, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University
  • Sakai Mai
    Marine Mammal Research Laboratory, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University
  • Wakabayashi Ikuo
    Toba Aquarium
  • Miyanishi Aoi
    Marine Mammal Research Laboratory, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University

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  • 飼育イロワケイルカの成熟オス・メスにおける社会行動の予備的分析
  • シイク イロワケイルカ ノ セイジュク オス ・ メス ニ オケル シャカイ コウドウ ノ ヨビテキ ブンセキ

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Abstract

<p>We observed and analyzed the social behavior of one mature male and two mature female Commerson’s dolphins in the Toba Aquarium in Mie, Japan. Both females delivered calves the following year, enabling us to roughly estimate the date of conception based on the gestation period of the species. Aquarium staff observed the male displaying approaching and following behaviors toward the female four times a day for 119 days. When these behaviors were most frequent, we determined that the female was in estrus. The estrous cycle was estimated at 28 days from the behavioral record. We observed and quantitatively analyzed the following social behaviors performed by the male in relation to the female: parallel swimming, following, stopping in parallel positions, contact, flipper rubbing, male contact to the female genital area, and approaching a female with an erection. We compared these behaviors among estrus, anestrus and pregnancy periods, and concluded that these social behaviors were more frequent during the estrus period. Social behaviors toward an estrus female occurred more frequently than toward an anestrus female. Furthermore, the duration of the following behavior and parallel swimming were significantly longer during the estrus period. These behavioral characteristics might help us to understand estrus in females in a non-invasive manner.</p>

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