Minimally invasive physiological correlates of social behaviour in belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) under human care

IF 1.9 4区 地球科学 Q3 ECOLOGY Polar Research Pub Date : 2021-07-26 DOI:10.33265/polar.v40.5504
Justin T. Richard, Rachael Levine, T. Romano, B. Sartini
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引用次数: 3

Abstract

Simultaneous observations of reproductive physiology and behaviour were conducted on a group of two male and two female belugas under professionally managed care for one year to explore potential mating strategies. Weekly blow sampling for progesterone in females was used to define the breeding season by detecting three oestrous cycles in one female. Twice weekly blow sampling for testosterone and twice monthly testes measurements via ultrasonography were used to detect reproductive seasonality in both males. Female–male association frequency varied longitudinally, with 70% of all interactions occurring during the 16-week breeding season. Male–male associations did not vary seasonally. Male display behaviours towards the female occurred 14.8 times more frequently during the breeding season (0.164 ± 0.188 behaviours/min) than outside of the breeding season (0.011 ± 0.042 behaviours/min). The cycling female responded variably to male display behaviours by altering swim speed or body orientation towards the male. Although this small sample size limits broad conclusions, the frequent display behaviours, low copulation rate and lack of serious male–male aggression are consistent with predictions for pre-copulatory female mate choice developed from the current knowledge of beluga reproductive physiology. These observations, which are not feasible for wild belugas, provide important management considerations because reduced opportunities for mate choice could limit the reproductive rate, especially in small populations.
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人类护理下白鲸社会行为的微创生理相关性
在专业护理下,对一组雄性白鲸和雌性白鲸进行了为期一年的生殖生理和行为观察,以探索潜在的交配策略。每周对雌性进行孕酮吹取样,通过检测一只雌性的三个发情周期来确定繁殖季节。每周两次的睾丸激素吹取样和每月两次的睾丸测量通过超声检查用于检测生殖季节性。雌性与雄性的交配频率呈纵向变化,70%的交配发生在16周的繁殖季节。男性与男性之间的关联没有季节变化。雄性对雌性的展示行为在繁殖期(0.164±0.188次/min)是非繁殖期(0.011±0.042次/min)的14.8倍。骑自行车的雌性对雄性的表现行为有不同的反应,它们会改变游泳速度或身体朝向雄性。虽然这个小样本量限制了广泛的结论,但频繁的展示行为,低交配率和缺乏严重的雄性-雄性攻击行为与根据目前对白鲸生殖生理学的了解发展起来的交配前雌性配偶选择的预测是一致的。这些对野生白鲸不可行的观察结果提供了重要的管理考虑,因为配偶选择机会的减少可能会限制繁殖率,特别是在小种群中。
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来源期刊
Polar Research
Polar Research 地学-地球科学综合
CiteScore
3.20
自引率
5.30%
发文量
22
审稿时长
>12 weeks
期刊介绍: Since 1982, Polar Research has been the international, peer-reviewed journal of the Norwegian Polar Institute, Norway''s central institution for research, environmental monitoring and mapping of the polar regions. Aiming to promote the exchange of scientific knowledge about the Arctic and Antarctic across disciplinary boundaries, Polar Research serves an international community of researchers and managers. As an open-access journal, Polar Research makes its contents freely available to the general public. Original primary research papers comprise the mainstay of Polar Research. Review articles, brief research notes, letters to the editor and book reviews are also included. Special issues are published from time to time. The scope of Polar Research encompasses research in all scientific disciplines relevant to the polar regions. These include, but are not limited to, the subfields of biology, ecology, geology, oceanography, glaciology and atmospheric science. Submissions from the social sciences and those focusing on polar management and policy issues are welcome. Contributions about Antarctica are particularly encouraged.
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