Synchrony in adult male Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella frontalis) during aggression

Synchrony between Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) is crucial for successfully
fending off bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) during interspecies aggression. The present study
examined synchrony in adult Atlantic spotted dolphins during aggressive encounters with bottlenose
dolphins. Across group size, aggressive behavioral events increased preceding synchrony, peaked during
synchrony, and decreased dramatically after synchrony. Although smaller groups (< 10 dolphins) became
synchronous more frequently than larger groups (> 10 dolphins), larger groups remained synchronous
longer; however, smaller groups exhibited more frequent aggressive behavioral events during synchrony,
suggesting that additional aggressive behaviors may be necessary to compensate for the small group size, whereas larger groups may be able to rely on synchrony alone. Disorganized squawk bouts synchronized as physical synchrony began, but only if coupled with escalating aggressive behaviors. The synchrony during aggressive episodes observed in adult Atlantic spotted dolphins can be used as a baseline to determine the process of the development of this critical skill in juveniles.