Vomiting Behavior of the Spinner Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) and Squid Meals

Authors: José Martins Silva-Jr.; Lizete Jardim Pandolfo; Ivan Sazima

Source: Aquatic Mammals, Volume 30, Number 2, 1 September 2004 , pp. 271-274(4)

Publisher: European Association for Aquatic Mammals

Purchase options

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$20.96 plus tax Refund Policy

More about this publication?

Aquatic Mammals is sponsored by the European Association for Aquatic Mammals, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and the International Marine Animal's Trainer Association.

More like this?

In this: publication
By this: publisher
In this Subject: Zoology
By this author: José Martins Silva-Jr. ; Lizete Jardim Pandolfo ; Ivan Sazima

Content Key:

- Free

- New

- Open Access

- Subscribed

- Free Trial

Abstract:

We describe and illustrate the vomiting behavior of the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), an eliminative behavior poorly known for cetaceans in the wild. The vomiting may be conveniently described in six behavioral phases: opening beak, closing beak (water intake), swallowing water, pausing, opening beak about to void, and voiding offal and water. Spinners vomit after a meal rich in squids, and, therefore, we relate this eliminative behavior to the presumably irritating remains of this meal type (squid beaks). The vomits are a rich and predictable food source for plankton-eating reef fishes.

Keywords: STENELLA LONGIROSTRIS; DELPHINIDAE; ELIMINATIVE BEHAVIOR; FEEDING HABITS; PELAGIC SQUID PREY; WEST ATLANTIC

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1578/AM.30.2.2004.271