Few studies have explored the mating patterns of free‐ranging cetaceans, largely because of logistical challenges. We used an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to follow and video‐record 25 groups of mating dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) near the surface of the water and examine how behavior patterns varied with mating group type. We collected aerial footage of dolphins mating in traditional Isolated Pods and within Integrated Pods and compared differences in the number of mating animals, swimming speed, bearing change, percent time at the surface of the water, female respiration rate, copulatory position rate, and sex‐specific mating behaviors. Only the mean number of mating animals and some sex‐specific mating behaviors varied significantly between the two mating group types. More dolphins were engaged in mating behaviors in Isolated Pods than Integrated Pods. Males engaged in more interference behaviors in Isolated Pods compared to Integrated Pods. Females performed fewer speed bursts but more rolls on their backs in Integrated Pods compared to Isolated Pods. Several similarities and differences were found in comparison to boat‐based research of the same population of dolphins. We highlight the value of UAVs for noninvasive and accurate collection of cetacean behavioral data.

中文翻译：

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使用无人飞行器探索昏暗海豚（Lagenorhynchus obscurus）的交配模式

很少有研究探讨自由放养的鲸类的交配方式，这主要是由于后勤方面的挑战。我们使用无人飞行器（UAV）跟踪并录制了25组交配的昏暗海豚（Lagenorhynchus obscurus）在水面附近，并检查行为模式如何随交配群体类型而变化。我们收集了传统隔离荚和整合荚内海豚交配的航拍画面，并比较了交配动物数量，游泳速度，方位变化，水面时间百分比，雌性呼吸率，交配位置率和性别的差异特定的交配行为。在两种交配组之间，只有平均数的交配动物和某些特定性别的交配行为才有显着差异。在海豚中，与隔离荚相比，在隔离荚中参与交配行为的海豚更多。与集成荚相比，男性在孤立荚中从事更多的干扰行为。与“隔离荚”相比，“整合荚”中的雌性进行较少的速度爆发，但背上的滚动更多。与基于船的相同海豚种群研究相比，发现了一些相似和不同之处。我们强调无人机对鲸类行为数据的非侵入性和准确收集的价值。