Kinship as a basis for alliance formation between male bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in the Bahamas

摘要: Alliances between reproductive males have been described in both cetacean and terrestrial mammal societies, kin selection theory has often invoked to explain these stable male coalitions. However, recent studies of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops aduncus, Australia suggest that mechanisms other than kinship are fundamental the formation alliances. We supplemented skin biopsy sampling with collection faecal samples from individually recognized wild T. truncatus, assess role alliance membership northeast Bahamas. Stable alliances pairs were identified based on association analyses individual photoidentification data collected over 4 years. Molecular genetic tissue revealed highly significant correlations patterns mitochondrial DNA haplotype identity microsatellite relatedness, indicating within long-term more closely related expected by chance. These reinforce high degree plasticity previously reported genus Tursiops, social ecological differences populations can markedly affect determining dolphins.  2003 Published Elsevier Ltd behalf The Association for Study Animal Behaviour.