Date of Award
2010
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
October 2026
Abstract
Demographic changes, through immigration/emigration (or death) can affect the social and community structure of a population. This study reports on the effects of demographic changes following 2 intense hurricanes on two sympatric delphinid species: Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, and Atlantic spotted dolphins Stenella frontalis. Thirty percent of the bottlenose population was lost after the hurricanes, with an influx of roughly the same number of immigrants. The stable community split into two cohesive units. Preferences in association in relation to reproductive status and sex remained. Immigrants assimilated well into the population, especially males. There is a conflict of interest between resident males and females in accepting immigrants and often females find more resistance than males. Long-term analysis of spotted dolphins revealed a community structure defined by long-term site fidelity, natal philopatry of both sexes and three social clusters.
Extent
xv, 176 p. : ill.
Recommended Citation
Elliser, Cindy Rogers, "Intra and interspecies association patterns of Atlantic spotted dolphins, Stenella frontalis, and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, and the effects of demographic changes following two major hurricanes" (2010). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019. 116.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_6/116
Identifier
FADT1930485
Comments
by Cindy Rogers Elliser.|Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010.|Includes bibliography.|Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.|by Cindy Rogers Elliser.