Male dolphins build complex teams for social success
Posted: March 28, 2012 at 1:46 pm
The study of bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia, was led by Srdan Randic, a Master's student at the University of Massachusetts and supervised by Richard Connor, a Research Fellow at the UNSW Ecology and Evolution Research Centre. The team includes UNSW geneticist Dr Bill Sherwin and Michael Krutzen, a UNSW alumnus now at the University of Zurich.
Male dolphins use physical contact - petting and rubbing each other to cement their personal bonds. Earlier studies had shown that the Shark Bay dolphins form three different kinds of alliances, but the study shows that they also enjoy a unique combination of nested male alliances within an open social network - a pattern not described before in comparable animals or dolphin communities.
Groups of two to three males form first-order alliances that involve close relatives, such as cousins, co-operating to guard or act as consorts to females. Long-running studies by many researchers at Shark Bay have revealed that these small groups may persist for up to 20 years.
Sometimes one of these first-order alliances is seen to assist another to gain access to a female, but on another day the same two groups may be opposed in a contest over a female, says Sherwin.
Teams of four to 14 males cooperate in second-order alliances to attack other alliances and to defend against such attacks. Second-order alliances can persist intact for over 15 years and may be considered the core unit of male social organization in Shark Bay, the researchers say.
Finally, two or more second-order groups may team up from time to time to form a third-order alliance. The study tackled the question of how they choose to make these alliances.
Randics team was able to exclude the so-called community defence model used by chimpanzees, for example, in which semi-closed communities (ones that occasionally accept new members emigrating from other groups) are defended by males ranging across their groups entire range.
Nor do they follow the mating season defence model, where males defend a tighter geographic range only in the mating season. At such times, the range of one male alliance would have little overlap with others but would have considerable overlap with the range of certain female individuals, notes Sherwin.
But the study found that even the largest dolphin alliances do not do this. The key difference with comparable species seems to be that they have an open social network, with a fissionfusion grouping pattern with strongly differentiated relationships, including nested male alliances.
We have now shown that males, like females, exhibit a continual mosaic of overlapping ranges, says Connor. Humans, elephants and other mammals live in semi-closed groups with sex-biased dispersal but have relationships with other groups. So humans and elephants differ from the dolphins in that key respect of living in semi-closed groups, but have in common a nested relationship structure.
The rest is here:
Male dolphins build complex teams for social success
- Mark Homer discusses how to achieve balanced career success [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Leverage What You Know to Reach Your Goals [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- Weight Loss Transformation - Daiquiri's Hitch Fit Success! [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- Coaching with Dallas Teague Snider, Christian Business Women's Success Coach [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- Gary Coxe Transforms a Belief in Minutes Learn his simple 4 Step Process [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- Life by Design: 10 Steps to an Extraordinary You by Tom Ferry [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2010]
- Don and Renee Martin - Authors of THE RISK TAKERS [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2010]
- PJ McClure Secrets to Personal Success. PJ McClure Success Tips [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- The Secret To Getting What You Want - Part 1 [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- The Secret To Getting What You Want - Part 2 [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- Motivational Success Quotes - To Enjoy shining Life [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- FitOrbit Online Personal Fitness Training 1-888-658-3989 [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- MLM sponsors & how they help you rise to SUCCESS [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2010]
- Setting and Writing Your Goals - The First Steps to Reaching Personal Goals [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2010]
- Six Pack Abs at 59! Phil's Hitch Fit Success Story! [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2010]
- How to Achieve Online Home Business Success: Key principles and practices [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2010]
- Internet Direct Marketing Strategies For Your Online Business Success [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2010]
- Attract Abundance Through REAL Principles Of Success [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2010]
- Crush it and how to cash in on your passion [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2010]
- Developing Your Confidence Skills One Step At A Time... [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2010]
- Bartel Clyde Attorney - Personal Injury Attorneys - Allentown, PA 18101 [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2010]
- Philip Ruff - DC Comments on the Letting Go film release [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2010]
- The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D Wattles [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2010]
- Victoria Brawn - UK Comments on the Letting Go film release pt.1 [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2010]
- Sharing Sweet Success - The Honey Party episode 16 [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2010]
- Sonja Francis - NY Letting Go Movie Release Comments Video [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2010]
- Marc Davies - Sedona Letting Go Movie Release Comments Video [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2010]
- What Season Are YOU In? Season's Of Life With Jim Rohn [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2010]
- Sharing Sweet Success - The Honey Party episode 24 [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2010]
- Robert Shand - UK Letting Go Movie Release Comments Video [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2010]
- Why you should never bother trying [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2010]
- Daphne Smit - NL Letting Go Movie Release Comments Video [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2010]
- Jeff Peoples - MA Letting Go Movie Release Comments Video [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2010]
- Kate Freeman - Sedona Letting Go Movie Release Comments Video [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2010]
- Blooming Success [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2010]
- Brian Warnock - MA Letting Go Movie Release Comments Video [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2010]
- Tom Campbell - Sedona Letting Go Movie Release Comments Video [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2010]
- Greg Turner - CA Letting Go Movie Release Comments Video [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- Peter Kirby - CO Letting Go Movie Release Comments Video [Last Updated On: July 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 30th, 2010]
- Bill Mull - Letting Go Movie Release Comments Video [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2010]
- Kathi Benson - Letting Go Movie Release Comments Video [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2010]
- Toronto Sales Executive On Clint Cora Personal Success Book [Last Updated On: August 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 8th, 2010]
- Pairing Success With Wine for Under $30 [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2010]
- Steve Wozniak on Apple's Success [Last Updated On: August 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 11th, 2010]
- Shake Shack's Secret Ingredients to Success [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2010]
- Gene Simmons' Tips for Success [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2010]
- Chronicles of Network Marketing 08.26.2010 - Do you Know that People Want to [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2010]
- Strategies for Success on the Job [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2010]
- Amenities Key to Success in Hotel Market [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2010]
- How to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Grow Your Business [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2010]
- Chronicles of Network Marketing 10.12.2010 - The time it takes for MLM Success [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2010]
- How To Find The PERFECT Personal Trainer (Pt 1) [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2010]
- Chronicles of Network Marketing 10.13.2010 - Great Prospects Everywhere - What [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2010]
- Remote Viewing - Powerful Techniques To Know [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2010]
- Chronicles of Network Marketing 12.11.2010 - Mothering and Fathering your MLM [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2010]
- Master Keys to Success Video [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2011]
- Barbara Marx Hubbard, Conscious Evolution [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2011]
- Carmelo Anthony 2009-2010 Season Highlights [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- One Of My Personal Success Secrets [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- Change Anything: The New Science of Personal Success [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- Robin Sharma [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- NSA Recap 2007 - Randy Gage [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- Napoleon Hill - Part 9 Success Principles (Personal Initiative) [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- Brian Tracey 10 Keys to Personal Power Part 2 of 6 [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- Napoleon Hill-What the mind can conceive, believe [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- Discover The Power Of Kaizen For Personal [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- Developing Personal Success Habits [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Bill Johnson - Your Personal History with God [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- TSC Super Cardio: Krueger 100's [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Will Smith shares his secrets of success [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Dani Johnson's 7 Keys to Success In Tough Times, Pt. 2 [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Realize Your Dreams [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Brian Tracy Personal Time Management 2 of 5 [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- TSC Super Cardio: Scottish 25's [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Les Brown - Unwrap Your Infinite Greatness [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Darren Hardy's DB10Y-#1 [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- #3 - Feel Safe [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Dani Johnson on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch ... [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Napoleon Hill - Part 6 Success Principles (Self-Discipline) [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Overcoming Inner Struggles [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]