The role of synchronized swimming as affiliative and anti-predatory behavior in long-finned pilot whales

Behavioural Processes
Valeria SenigagliaDavid Lusseau

Abstract

Synchronized swimming in cetaceans has been hypothesized to play a role in affiliative processes as well as anti-predatory responses. We compared observed variation in synchronized swimming at two research sites in relation to disturbance exposure to test these two hypotheses. This study describes and quantifies pair synchronization in long-finned pilot whales at the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain and Cape Breton, Canada. Synchronization differed depending on the behavioral state and the response is different in the two sites leading to the conclusion that environment can shape the occurrence and magnitude of certain behaviors. We also analyzed intra-population variations in synchronization among 4 social units of Pilot whales in the Strait of Gibraltar and the results of this study confirmed the affiliative role of synchronization and highlighted an influence of disturbance on synchronization. We can conclude that synchronization is a common behavior in long-finned pilot whales that allow for close proximity and rapid coordinated response of individuals, with the multiple functions of showing affiliation and reacting to disturbance.

References

May 1, 1971·Journal of Theoretical Biology·W D Hamilton
Apr 1, 1967·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology·J P Scott, C McCray
Jan 1, 1995·Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology·N Agetsuma
Oct 28, 1998·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·M CollettD C Krakauer
Jun 21, 2001·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·L Conradt, T J Roper
Sep 4, 2001·The Behavioral and Brain Sciences·L Rendell, H Whitehead
Jul 8, 2003·European Journal of Applied Physiology·Claudio L LafortunaAngelo Colombini
Mar 24, 2006·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·D J T Sumpter
Aug 14, 2009·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·Aniruddh D PatelIrena Schulz
Sep 3, 2010·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Lesley J MorrellRichard James
Nov 1, 2002·Integrative and Comparative Biology·D Weihs

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 14, 2017·Scientific Reports·Pavel GoldsteinSimone G Shamay-Tsoory
Oct 20, 2019·Scientific Reports·Jennifer B TennessenJeffrey T Hogan
Dec 3, 2016·Biology Letters·Julie M Kern, Andrew N Radford
Apr 27, 2021·Frontiers in Veterinary Science·Hanna Maria Mamzer
Jul 15, 2021·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Bertrand BouchardAurélie Célérier
Aug 24, 2021·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Molly J HenrySonja A Kotz

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.