Mating patterns of dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) explored using an unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

AbstractFew studies have explored the mating patterns of free‐ranging cetaceans, largely because of logistical challenges. We used an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to follow and video‐record 25 groups of mating dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) near the surface of the water and examine how behavior patterns varied with mating group type. We collected aerial footage of dolphins mating in traditional Isolated Pods and within Integrated Pods and compared differences in the number of mating animals, swimming speed, bearing change, percent time at the surface of the water, female respiration rate, copulatory position rate, and sex‐specific mating behaviors. Only the mean number of mating animals and some sex‐specific mating behaviors varied significantly between the two mating group types. More dolphins were engaged in mating behaviors in Isolated Pods than Integrated Pods. Males engaged in more interference behaviors in Isolated Pods compared to Integrated Pods. Females performed fewer speed bursts but more rolls on their backs in Integrated Pods compared to Isolated Pods. Several similarities and differences were found in comparison to boat‐based research of the same population of dolphins. We highlight the value of UAVs for noninvasive and accurate collection of cetacean behavioral data.