Inter-group alliance dynamics in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus).

ABSTRACT: The social intelligence hypothesis holds that complex social relationships are the major selective force underlying the evolution of large brain size and intelligence. Complex social relationships are exemplified by coalitions and alliances that are mediated by affiliative behavior, resulting in differentiated but shifting relationships. Male Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia, form three alliance levels or 'orders', primarily among non-relatives. Strategic alliance formation has been documented within both first- and second-order alliances and between second-order alliances ('third-order alliances'), revealing that the formation of strategic inter-group alliances is not limited to humans. Here we conducted a fine-scale study on 22 adult males over a 6-year period to

SUBMITTER: Friedman WR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10442264 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature