Thus genetic and social effects on fitness are intertwined, both important in determining female success (Frère et al. 2010). Contrary to male-male Palbociclib mouse associations, age was not a significant factor

in female only associations. Female-female CoAs within and between age class were not significantly different and the majority of associations were between age classes. Spotted dolphin females had strong associations across age classes within their cluster because they associate highly with their older speckled and even mottled offspring. They also associate with other females and their older offspring, with whom they have had previous associations. It is obvious that females would have strong associations across classes between adults and calves, due to dependency during the first few years of the calves’ life. Subsequently mother/calf associations tend to drop significantly between calf years three and four (spotted dolphins: Herzing and Brunnick 1997; bottlenose dolphins:

Wells et al. selleck chemicals 1987, Smolker et al. 1992), however, this study shows that some strong associations can remain, through adulthood of the offspring. Consistent mother-offspring associations up to 11 yr were documented in both this study and previously (Herzing and Brunnick 1997), indicating strong relationships through at least three age classes of the offspring (up to mottled). While the mother and offspring are closely associated, the offspring will be exposed to and have relationships with their mother’s associates and their offspring. Female associates may be daughters of their mother’s close associates, with whom they spent part of their infancy or juvenile period (Wells et al. 1987, Möller and Harcourt selleck 2008). The sociability of Shark Bay bottlenose dolphin

female calves has been shown to mirror that of their mothers (Gibson and Mann 2008). This parity may translate into adulthood, continuing on the “network” of female relationships. The formation of the Northern, Central, and Southern clusters may be influenced by both kinship and social familiarity between females, while reproduction and social familiarity affect the patterns of within-cluster associations. This community of spotted dolphins, like many bottlenose dolphin populations, has long-term affiliations that are often correlated with factors such as age, sex, and reproduction. Mating strategies and sex are the primary factors shaping social structure. Reproduction and social familiarity strongly influence female associations, whereas age and alliance formation strongly affect male associations. Future work should focus on defining the function of male alliances more definitively through behavioral analysis, genetics (relatedness and more paternity studies), and ranging patterns.