Agonistic interactions initiated by adult bottlenose dolphins on Antillean manatee calves in the Caribbean Sea.

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 p

SUBMITTER: Ramos EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10781161 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature