ACS Monterey Bay Program for February 2003Bottlenose Dolphin maternal care:
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Sarasota Bay in Florida is the "center of the universe" for the
study of the Bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, a
species which is found worldwide. A long-term study, directed
by Dr. Randy Wells over almost 30 years, continues to be a fertile
environment for answering questions about virtually all aspects
of dolphin biology.
With the annual monitoring of most of the dolphins in the study
group for blood work, genetic studies, renewal of I.D. tags, etc.,
graduate students and others have been able to get answers to
all manner of research questions.
Our speaker, Caryn Owen, spent two years studying the behavior
of 16 mothers with newborns in the Sarasota Bay population for
her Master's degree. Criteria to assess maternal care included
observations for likely indicators of protection from predation
(perhaps from shark attack or even infanticide) and successful
socialization. Experienced mothers (whose reproductive history
was known) provided maternal care strategies distinct from those
of first time mothers. Experienced mothers always surfaced with
their calves and associated with other females with calves in
groups, providing added care and socialization from the beginning.
The first two months are the most critical for the survival of
the calf.
Our speaker will expand on these aspects and others. She will
also relate the Sarasota studies to our own small "resident" Tursiops
population which occurs in the nearshore shallows of Monterey
Bay from Santa Cruz to Marina and Monterey.
While at UCSC, Caryn received an ACS/MB graduate student research
award.
Please join us for an evening of new insights into the lives of
dolphins!
Related web pages:
- Links to additional information and photos of Bottlenose Dolphins
- Back to list of previous meetings.
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Bottlenose
Drawing illustration is from ACS
Fact Sheet: Bottlenose Dolphin.Last updated March 6, 2003.