E. Ramos, J. Kiszka, Diana Reiss, Marcelo O. Magnasco
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
In marine ecosystems, predators can affect community and ecosystem dynamics through a variety of processes such as foraging facilitation. Here, we report evidence of foraging facilitation between common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and double-crested cormorants (Nannopterum auritum) in the Caribbean seagrass-dominated atoll of Turneffe, Belize using aerial drone observations conducted in 2015-2017. While dolphins exhibited occasional aggressive behaviours toward the cormorants, the latter frequently followed dolphin movements, suggesting opportunistic pursuit of dolphins for prey access during dolphin bottom foraging activity. Our observations underscore the intricate ecological relationships among marine predators and highlight the need to quantify the mutual benefits and costs of such interactions as coastal ecosystems are rapidly changing.
期刊介绍:
Behaviour is interested in all aspects of animal (including human) behaviour, from ecology and physiology to learning, cognition, and neuroscience. Evolutionary approaches, which concern themselves with the advantages of behaviour or capacities for the organism and its reproduction, receive much attention both at a theoretical level and as it relates to specific behavior.