Gardell, A. M. (2006) Examining pectoral fin contact in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) for potential correlations with age and sex categories. Unpublished Bachelors Thesis, University of Miami.
Abstract:
Pectoral fin contact is a common behavior observed between bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Age and sex correlations were found to exist in the pectoral fin contact behavior of bottlenose dolphins in human care at the Roatan Institute for Marine Science. Younger dolphins and male dolphins were observed to initiate more pectoral fin touches and rubs than any other age and sex categories. The differences suggest support for potential links to social development in young bottlenose dolphins.