Petey: Male alliances and reproductive success
Petey (FB10), was born in 1981 to Ms. Mayhem and became independent at 5-7 years of age.
We first described the formation of long-lasting alliances of Sarasota males in the 1970’s. An alliance is formed when two male dolphins pair up, traveling together virtually all of the time.
More than 90% of the male dolphins in Sarasota eventually become members of an alliance, with the first alliances formed shortly after reaching sexual maturity. Some alliances last for decades, usually ending only upon the death of one of the pair.
Petey’s first alliance with Wee Willie in 1988 lasted only a year. But his next alliance with FB46 lasted for 14 years, until FB46 disappeared in 2003. Petey formed his next alliance a year later with FB36, and they are still usually seen together in the Sarasota dolphin community.
FB36 was born in 1972 and formed a 17-year alliance with FB38 until the latter’s death in 1999. After auditioning several other potential partners, he entered a stable alliance with Petey in 2004.
Why form an alliance? There are likely a variety of reasons. Perhaps because it reduces the risk of shark attack or aids in battles with other males. Teamwork also might make catching prey easier.
Perhaps of greatest adaptive value, male alliances seem to improve reproductive success. DNA paternity testing has shown that males in alliances are more likely to father calves.
And Petey has been very successful. DNA testing show that he has so far sired at least three calves, each from a different mother. Petey is one of the most reproductively successful male in the Sarasota dolphin community.
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