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Prey-transfer in the marine tucuxi dolphin, Sotalia fluviatilis, on the Brazilian coast

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2009

Luísa Helena Pinheiro Spinelli ,
Adolfo Hubner de Jesus ,
Lídio França do Nascimento  and
Maria Emília Yamamoto
Luísa Helena Pinheiro Spinelli*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Fisiologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Caixa Postal 1511 Natal, RN 59072-970, Brazil
Adolfo Hubner de Jesus
Affiliation:
Departamento de Fisiologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Caixa Postal 1511 Natal, RN 59072-970, Brazil
Lídio França do Nascimento
Affiliation:
Departamento de Fisiologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Caixa Postal 1511 Natal, RN 59072-970, Brazil
Maria Emília Yamamoto
Affiliation:
Departamento de Fisiologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Caixa Postal 1511 Natal, RN 59072-970, Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Luísa Helena Pinheiro Spinelli, Departamento de Fisiologia, Programa de Pós-graduação em Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Caixa Postal 1511 – Natal, RN 59072-970Brazil email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The first record of prey-transfer behaviour between adult and calf animals in Sotalia fluviatilis is recorded. Five clear episodes of prey-transfer from adult animals to calves were observed, occurring in north-eastern Brazil at Pipa's Beach. These results suggest that food-sharing is a naturally occurring behaviour in the marine tucuxi dolphin, and that it may act as both a food supply and as an opportunity to obtain information about the food that is eaten by other group members.

Keywords

prey-transfermarine tucuxi dolphinSotalia fluviatilis
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 1 , January 2008 , e25
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2006

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