@article{103600b29d5544b7b3a09e4c6f6153f2,
title = "Inter-group alliance dynamics in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus)",
abstract = "The social intelligence hypothesis holds that complex social relationships are the major selective force underlying the evolution of large brain size and intelligence. Complex social relationships are exemplified by coalitions and alliances that are mediated by affiliative behavior, resulting in differentiated but shifting relationships. Male Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia, form three alliance levels or {\textquoteleft}orders{\textquoteright}, primarily among non-relatives. Strategic alliance formation has been documented within both first- and second-order alliances and between second-order alliances ({\textquoteleft}third-order alliances{\textquoteright}), revealing that the formation of strategic inter-group alliances is not limited to humans. Here we conducted a fine-scale study on 22 adult males over a 6-year period to determine if third-order alliance relationships are differentiated, and mediated by affiliative interactions. We found third-order alliance relationships were strongly differentiated, with key individuals playing a disproportionate role in maintaining alliances. Nonetheless, affiliative interactions occurred broadly between third-order allies, indicating males maintain bonds with third-order allies of varying strength. We also documented a shift in relationships and formation of a new third-order alliance. These findings further our understanding of dolphin alliance dynamics and provide evidence that strategic alliance formation is found in all three alliance levels, a phenomenon with no peer among non-human animals.",
keywords = "Affiliative behavior, Bottlenose dolphins, Coalitions, Differentiated relationships, Social complexity, Strategic alliances",
author = "Friedman, {Whitney R.} and Michael Kr{\"u}tzen and King, {Stephanie L.} and Allen, {Simon J.} and Livia Gerber and Samuel Wittwer and Connor, {Richard C.}",
note = "Funding Information: This study was supported by a grant from the National Geographic Society Committee for Research and Exploration (9301-13), the Evolutionary Genetics Group in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Zurich, the A.H. Schultz Foundation, Claraz Schenkung, and The Dolphin Alliance Project, Inc. W.R.F. was supported by the UCSD Merle-Smith Graduate Fellowship in Anthropogeny, UCSD Glushko-Samuelson Fellowship in Cognitive Science, and UCSD Dean of Social Science Fellowship. Funding Information: This research was carried out on Gutharraguda, Malgana Sea Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the region. We thank RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Shark Bay Rangers and Monkey Mia Wildsights for their support and assistance. We sincerely thank all field assistants for their help during this study, especially Teresa Borcuch, Cindel Carballo, Cory Jameson, Rebekah McLeod and Chiara Muntoni. This work benefited from many thoughtful conversations; we especially thank E. Hutchins, P. Gagneux, D. Nitz, M. Kutas, A. Chiba, and F. Rossano for their support and guidance. Finally, we thank the reviewers whose thoughtful feedback improved this manuscript. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023, The Author(s).",
year = "2023",
month = sep,
doi = "10.1007/s10071-023-01804-y",
language = "English",
volume = "26",
pages = "1601--1612",
journal = "Animal Cognition",
issn = "1435-9448",
publisher = "Springer-Verlag London Ltd.",
number = "5",
}