Infanticidal behaviour of a bottlenose dolphin in the Marmara Sea, Türkiye

Arda M. Tonay, Aylin Güler, Ayhan Dede, Işıl Aytemiz Danyer, Ayaka Amaha Öztürk

ORCID IDs: A.M.T. 0000-0003-2718-9328; A.G. 0009-0008-4117-7511; A.D. 0000-0002-7712-615X; I.A.D. 0000-0003-4658-1819; A.A.Ö. 0000-0003-2281-7372

Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, İstanbul University, Onaltı Mart Şehitleri Cad. No: 2, 34470, Fatih, Istanbul, TÜRKİYE
Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), P.O. Box: 10, Beykoz, Istanbul, TÜRKİYE
Institute of Graduate Studies in Sciences, İstanbul University, 34116, Fatih, Istanbul, TÜRKİYE

Abstract

This study reports an observed case of infanticidal behaviour and a possible case of infanticide in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Marmara Sea. This behaviour was observed between an adult of unknown sex, referred to as the ‘aggressor,’ and a carcass of a male neonate, referred to as the ‘target.’ The videos were recorded on 10 August 2024, by an amateur diver from an inflatable boat, near Kınalıada, located in the northeastern part of the Marmara Sea. This report is the first observed case of a possible infanticide in bottlenose dolphins in the Marmara Sea.

Keywords: Tursiops truncatus, Turkish Straits System, cetacean behaviour

Pages: 190-199

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