Svenja Marfurt

The high complexity of social structures found in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) can only be compared to that found in primates including humans. Although the general social pattern of a dolphin population is characterized by a fission and fusion system, preferred associations between individuals can lead to community structure within populations.While male bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay engage in long-term associations and form highly nested alliances, association patterns in female bottlenose dolphins are not well understood. The aim of my thesis is to investigate association patterns and community structure of female bottlenose dolphins in Western Shark Bay using behavioural and genetic determinants.