Observations and Detailed Descriptions of Sociosexual Behavior in Wild Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus)

Abstract

Sociosexual behavior is not directly related to reproduction. It is observed between mature and immature individuals of both sexes and interactions can be between mixed- or same-sex individuals. This behavior may have important social functions. We observed and recorded the sociosexual behavior of wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), underwater off Mikura Island, Japan, with regards to erection and mounting. This behavior was observed mainly between mothers and sons and in groups of subadult males (age 1–13 years). In subadult males, mounting behavior toward one passive individual from two or more individuals playing an active role, occurred in most cases. This behavior involving three or more participants has rarely been observed in other animal species, except for bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus), common bottlenose dolphins (T. truncatus), and beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas). Sociosexual behavior in the Mikura Island dolphins may not be agonistic because individuals in the passive role did not try to escape from the individuals playing the active role. Further studies on sociosexual behavior T. aduncus could reveal the social functions of this behavior, such as younger animals practicing mating behaviors required as adults and developing their relationships for when they are adults.