Dolphin pointing is linked to the attentional behavior of a receiver

Abstract

In 2001, Xitco et al. (Anim Cogn 4:115-123) described spontaneous behaviors in two bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that resembled pointing and gaze alternation. The dolphins' spontaneous behavior was influenced by the presence of a potential receiver, and the distance between the dolphin and the receiver. The present study adapted the technique of Call and Tomasello [(1994) J Comp Psychol 108:307-317], used with orangutans to test the effect of the receiver's orientation on pointing in these same dolphins. The dolphins directed more points and monitoring behavior at receivers whose orientation was consistent with attending to the dolphins. The results demonstrated that the dolphins' pointing and monitoring behavior, like that of apes and infants, was linked to the attentional behavior of the receiver.

Cetacean vocal learning and communication

“…In delphinids, we find social structures of similar complexity as in primates and a use of learned vocalizations in social interactions that is absent in nonhuman primates. Evidence for the comprehension [61] and use of pointing gestures [62], an understanding of syntactical structure in artificial communication systems and the ability to use learned signals referentially [49], make us wonder what evolutionary forces could have led to such similarities with primates when the environments in which these skills evolved in the two groups could not have been more different. The most parsimonious answer is that complexities in social relationships and systems are the main driving force for the evolution of complexity in communication and cognition across taxa.…”

Referential gestures in fish collaborative hunting

“…Thus, the use of referential gestures is apparently not restricted to apes and a corvid. We suggest that the ability is perhaps not as rare as previously thought 13 : instead of being restricted to large-brained species the occurrence of referential gestures may be linked to ecological need [16][17][18] 25 , which communicate about objects of interest with humans. Potential cases in the wild include bird species such as bowerbirds, green-backed sparrows, marabou storks and grass finches, which, in a manner similar to ravens, present non-food objects during pair formation and courtship [26][27][28][29] .…”

Sea lions’ (Zalophus californianus) use of human pointing gestures as referential cues

“…But whether or not those motions act in elephants as Bpoints^have to be explored further. Other researchers demonstrated the ability in dogs (Miklosi, Polgardi, Topal, & Csanyi, 2000) and captive dolphins (Xitco, Gory, & Kuczaj, 2001 to spontaneously indicate the location of a hidden food item by aligning the axis of their body with a container, while producing gaze-alternations between its owner (or caretaker) and the object.…”