Social systems are characterized by the associations and interactions between individuals. For highly social groups such as delphinids, understanding the demographics and long-term association patterns of a population is the first step in interpreting its overall social structure and specific relationships between individuals. This study investigated the social patterns of a population of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) off Bimini, The Bahamas, during a 14-year period (2003–2016). We generated association indices and conducted cluster, network, and temporal analyses using SOCPROG 2.8. Dolphins in this population display long-term, year-round residency around Bimini, as well as long-term preferences in association with a combination of rapid disassociation, constant companions, and casual acquaintances. We found no evidence of distinct social clusters within the study group; however, we discovered at least one subgroup with higher association than the rest of the population. This group was composed of male spotted dolphins, which overall tended to associate together more than females and chose companions with similar levels of association to themselves. Despite strong relationships between males, we found no evidence for the existence of alliances or coalitions. This study provides a baseline understanding of the social structure of this population that will allow us to investigate the variable relationships between individuals, in addition to exploring the effects of demographic changes within the resident population.

中文翻译：

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巴哈马群岛比米尼附近大西洋斑点海豚（Stenella frontalis）的社会结构（2003-2016年）：翠鸟优先结合的其他原因

社会系统的特征是个人之间的联系和互动。对于高度的社会群体（例如飞燕草），了解人口统计资料和长期交往模式是解释其总体社会结构和个人之间特定关系的第一步。这项研究调查了大西洋斑海豚（Stenella frontalis）的社会模式）在14年内（2003年至2016年）在巴哈马群岛比米尼（Bimini）附近。我们生成了关联索引，并使用SOCPROG 2.8进行了聚类，网络和时间分析。这些人口中的海豚在比米尼（Bimini）附近表现出长期的全年居住权，并伴随着快速的分离，长期的同伴和偶然的相识相结合的长期喜好。我们没有发现研究组内有明显的社会集群的证据。但是，我们发现至少一个亚组的关联性高于其他人群。这群人是由斑斑点点的海豚组成，它们总体上比女性更倾向于联想在一起，并选择与自己具有相似联想水平的伴侣。尽管男性之间有很强的关系，但我们没有发现存在联盟或联盟的证据。