Male dolphins bond through vocal signals

According to experts at the University of Bristol, bottlenose dolphins can increase their popularity through vocal signals, which helps them to maintain relationships with other dolphins rather than relying on physical bonding activities.

A separate study carried out at the University of Zurich also found that there was a positive correlation between the popularity of dolphins and their ability to find mates.

Findings showed that pods of male dolphins will conspire with one another to outcompete the rival groups overreaching the females, with the most popular male having the highest breeding success.

Lead author Emma Chereskin, a student at the University of Bristol, said: “Many animals, including humans, use tactile contact, touch, to strengthen and reaffirm important relationships.

“But, as the number of close social relationships increases, so, too, do the demands on the time and space available for relationship maintenance through physical contact.

“Male bottlenose dolphins form strategic, multi-level alliances, and we wanted to know how they maintained multiple alliance relationships in large groups.”

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.