Journal article
Social dynamics and sexual segregation of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) in Moreton Bay, Queensland
Marine Mammal Science, Vol.36(2), pp.500-521
04/2020
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Understanding the social organization of coastal dolphins, particularly those that reside adjacent to major cities and urbanized regions, is important for understanding the vulnerability of populations to human impacts. We investigated the sexual segregation and social dynamics in a population of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) inhabiting the near‐urban embayment of Moreton Bay, Queensland. Over 160 vessel‐based surveys, 148 adults were photographically identified. This included 116 assumed females and 32 assumed males. The population was sexually segregated (SSAS = 0.52, p < .001) and individuals preferred to associate with others of the same sex occupying the same spatial area (p < .025). Association indices between paired males were almost double those of females (x¯HWI=0.09, SD = 0.04 and x¯HWI=0.05, SD = 0.02, respectively). However, females were more gregarious than males and maintained a larger network of associates based on preferred companionships. The social network was also modular with five clusters identified, and a limited number of individuals had a disproportionate influence on connectivity between clusters. This highly fragmented social network implies that the population may be vulnerable to social disruptions from human impacts.
Details
- Title
- Social dynamics and sexual segregation of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) in Moreton Bay, Queensland
- Creators
- Elizabeth R Hawkins (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityLara Pogson‐Manning (Author) - Southern Cross UniversityChristian Jaehnichen (Author) - Dolphin Research Australia IncJustin J Meager (Author) - Queensland Department of Environment and Science
- Publication Details
- Marine Mammal Science, Vol.36(2), pp.500-521
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hoboken, USA
- Number of pages
- 22
- Grant note
- Department of Environment and Energy Dolphin Research Australia Eco‐volunteers Marine Ecology Research Centre Southern Cross University Redland City Council Australian Marine Mammal Centre Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation
- Identifiers
- 991012926968102368
- Academic Unit
- Marine Ecology Research Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article