Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) aggressive behavior towards other cetacean species in the western Mediterranean

• Published in: Scientific Reports
• Main Authors: Crespo-Picazo, Jose Luis, Rubio-Guerri, Consuelo, Jiménez Martínez, María de los Ángeles, Aznar, Francisco Javier, Marco-Cabedo, Vicente, Melero, Mar, Sánchez-Vizcaíno Rodríguez, José Manuel, Gozalbes, Patricia, García-Párraga, Daniel
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Nature Research 2021
• Subjects: 636.09; Veterinaria; 3109 Ciencias Veterinarias; Phocoena phocoena
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/95753; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00867-6

Author contributions M.M., C.R.G., V.M.C., P.G. and J.L.C.P. collected samples and data. M.A.J. performed histopathological analysis. J.L.C.P. conceived the study. D.G.P. and J.M.S.V. provided logistic support. C.R.G., J.L.C.P. and D.G.P. wrote the manuscript. All authors participated in discussion and editing the manuscript. Aggressive behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) towards conspecifics is widely described, but they have also often been reported attacking and killing harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) around the world. However, very few reports exist of aggressive interactions between bottlenose dolphins and other cetacean species. Here, we provide the first evidence that bottlenose dolphins in the western Mediterranean exhibit aggressive behavior towards both striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus). Necropsies and visual examination of stranded striped (14) and Risso's (2) dolphins showed numerous lesions (external rake marks and different bone fractures or internal organ damage by blunt trauma). Indicatively, these lessons matched the inter-tooth distance and features of bottlenose dolphins. In all instances, these traumatic interactions were presumed to be the leading cause of the death. We discuss how habitat changes, dietary shifts, and/or human colonization of marine areas may be promoting these interactions. Comunitat Valenciana Depto. de Medicina y Cirugía Animal Fac. de Veterinaria TRUE pub