Date of Award
4-3-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske
Abstract
This research project investigates the reproductive behavior of the tucuxi river dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis), whose mating strategies are poorly documented. In 2022, over Lake Amanã, Brazil, Dr. Gonzalez-Socoloske captured drone footage of a natural mating event involving multiple tucuxi individuals, which provided us a rare opportunity to study their behavior. Using Behavioral Observation Research Interactive Software (BORIS), behavioral states and point events, such as intromission, proximity, synchrony, and periods of non-visibility, were coded and quantified, enabling statistical and graphical analyses that characterize the tucuxi’s social and reproductive interaction patterns. The results indicate that 30 intromission events occurred within the 13-minute observation period, with shorter intervals between intromissions during defined mating bouts, revealing clustered and sequential multi-male participation. These findings support a multi-male mating system consistent with sperm competition and suggest that tucuxi reproductive behavior aligns with polyandrous strategies.
Recommended Citation
Wee, Jaden, "Behavioral Analyses of Reproductive Behaviors of the River Dolphin Tucuxi (Sotalia Fluviatilis)" (2026). Honors Theses. 322.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/honors/322
Subject Area
Dolphins--Sexual behavior; Tucuxi--Sexual behavior
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."