Investigation of lateralization of socio-sexual behavior in belugas (Delphinapterus leucas)

Lilley, Malin K.; Ham, Jackson R.; Miller, Malin R.; Kolodziej, Katie; Hill, Henry

doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104718

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Likewise, this immature male rarely attempted to swim with adult females as he spent more of his time interacting with younger animals or with the adult male (Hill & Ramirez, 2014;Lilley et al, 2020;Ham et al, 2022). Throughout this unusual social interaction, the male displayed many elements of the sociosexual and courtship repertoires but did not do so in a typical adult behavioral sequence or form, and some behaviors such as an erection and thrust were missing (Glabicky et al, 2010;Hill et al, 2015b;Lilley et al, 2022). This social interaction lasted for approximately 3 min and was one of the first attempted courtship interactions observed for this immature male with an adult female.…”

Section: Anecdote Onementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite many 24-h observations, few reproductive copulations were ever recorded for a breeding population of belugas with two adult males and seven adult females, but copulation had occurred as indicated indirectly by pregnancies. The adult male courtship sequence typically begins with directed gazes, follows at a distance, closer proximity lateral presentations, horizontal S-postures with the genital region thrust forward, and bubble trails with some open mouth displays (Lilley et al, 2022). In addition to visual displays, the adult male also produces a deep foghorn vocalization more frequently during the breeding season and may become more vocal (observations that need to be studied systematically).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Observations of Mating Practice by Non-Sexually Mature Male Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas)

Hill¹,

Ham²,

Lilley³

2022

Aquat Mamm

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Section: Anecdote Onementioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Observations of Mating Practice by Non-Sexually Mature Male Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas)

Hill¹,

Ham²,

Lilley³

2022

Aquat Mamm

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“…While not mutually exclusive, these behaviors often differ in form. For example, sociosexual behavior resembles copulatory behavior (Hill et al, 2015; Lilley, Ham, & Manitzas Hill, 2022; Lilley, Ham, Miller, Kolodziej, et al, 2022; Manitzas Hill, et al, 2022) but can be considered affiliative or playful in certain contexts (Manitzas Hill, et al, 2023). The vast majority of affiliative social contact research has investigated mother‐offspring contact and its role in the formation of social bonds and infant development (Harlow, 1958; Nakamura & Sakai, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Playful mouth‐to‐mouth interactions of belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) in managed care

Ham,

Lilley,

Wincheski

et al. 2023

Zoo Biology

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Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) engage in many forms of play (e.g., object, water, locomotor), but no play is quite as curious as the unusual form of cooperative social play involving mouth‐to‐mouth interactions. These playful interactions are characterized by two belugas approaching each other head‐to‐head and interlocking their jaws, clasping one another, as if they were shaking hands. Observed in belugas both in the wild and in managed care, it is seemingly an important type of social play that offers a unique way of socializing with conspecifics. To describe this unusual behavior, a group of belugas in managed care was observed from 2007 to 2019. Although adults participated in mouth‐to‐mouth interactions, most were initiated and received by young belugas. Both males and females engaged in mouth‐to‐mouth interactions and did so at similar frequencies. Individual differences in how many mouth‐to‐mouth interactions were initiated among calves were also observed. Due to the unique, cooperative nature of mouth‐to‐mouth interactions, which require both social and motor skills, it is hypothesized that these interactions may be used to test social and motor competency.

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Sexual Behavior and Anatomy in Porpoises

Webber,

Keener,

Wahlberg

et al. 2023

Sex in Cetaceans

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Among the taxonomic family of porpoises (Phocoenidae), mating behavior in nature has been described in detail only for the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). We review this species’ unusual mating habits based on a study in San Francisco Bay, California, USA, and present new data from across its range in the North Pacific, North Atlantic, Black Sea, and managed care. Results confirm the male’s unique laterality oriented solely to the female’s left side as contact occurred both in nature and managed care. The male’s high-energy sexual approach to the female led to splashy aerial behavior at the surface in nature. Drone footage provided observations of subsurface mating behavior, including evidence of male–male sexual interactions and a male calf interacting sexually with its mother. Harbor porpoise reproductive anatomy is also presented, with new comparative information on the vaquita (Phocoena sinus). The harbor porpoise’s lateralized behavior and anatomy (i.e., long asymmetric penis, large testes size, convoluted asymmetric female reproductive tract) may have coevolved. We note gaps in knowledge, suitable platforms for future investigations (drones, bridges, boats, and coastal cliffs), and what is known about mating behavior in other porpoise species, including hybridization. We conclude with conservation implications for porpoises and encourage researchers to recognize and report mating behavior as baseline data valuable for establishing marine conservation areas.

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Investigation of lateralization of socio-sexual behavior in belugas (Delphinapterus leucas)

Cited by 7 publications

References 47 publications

Observations of Mating Practice by Non-Sexually Mature Male Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas)

Observations of Mating Practice by Non-Sexually Mature Male Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas)

Playful mouth‐to‐mouth interactions of belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) in managed care

Sexual Behavior and Anatomy in Porpoises

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