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- Title
Spatial distribution and aggregation of Xenobalanus globicipitis on the flukes of striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba: An indicator of host hydrodynamics?
- Authors
Moreno‐Colom, Patricia; Ten, Sofía; Raga, Juan Antonio; Aznar, Francisco Javier
- Abstract
We analyzed patterns of aggregation and spatial distribution of the epizoic barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitis on the flukes of Mediterranean striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba, assessing its potential use as an indicator of the host's hydrodynamics based on data from 55 dolphins. Barnacles occurred along the trailing edge with the cirri oriented towards the oncoming flow. Nearest neighbor analyses suggested that new recruits actively seek placement next to already settled barnacles, forming aggregations possibly to facilitate copulation. The probability of spanwise settlement strongly increased with fluke width (presumably enabling prolonged leading‐edge vorticity), and with chordwise length where pressure is predicted to be positive. Consequently, clustering tended to increase nonlinearly towards the fluke notch. Furthermore, it was three times more likely for barnacles to occur on the dorsal vs. ventral side of flukes, at an average abundance ca. 12 times higher. This difference could result from a host's asymmetric oscillation of the tail, which would alter leading‐edge vorticity, and/or an interaction between the wake produced by the dorsal fin and the flow associated with flukes. Both processes could primarily enhance cyprid contact and/or attachment on the dorsal side. This study offers a starting point for future comparison with other cetaceans.
- Subjects
BARNACLES; BOTTLENOSE dolphin; HYDRODYNAMICS; STRIPED dolphin; VORTEX motion; CETACEA; SEXUAL intercourse
- Publication
Marine Mammal Science, 2020, Vol 36, Issue 3, p897
- ISSN
0824-0469
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/mms.12691