The diving physiology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiop truncatus). III Thermoregulation at depth

The diving physiology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). III. Thermoregulation at depth.

During diving, marine mammals initiate a series of cardiovascular changes that include bradycardia and decreased peripheral circulation. Because heat transfer from thermal windows located in peripheral sites of these mammals depends on blood flow, such adjustments may limit their thermoregulatory capabilities during submergence. Here, we demonstrate how the thermoregulatory responses of bottlen...

The diving physiology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). II. Biomechanics and changes in buoyancy at depth.

During diving, marine mammals must balance the conservation of limited oxygen reserves with the metabolic costs of swimming exercise. As a result, energetically efficient modes of locomotion provide an advantage during periods of submergence and will presumably increase in importance as the animals perform progressively longer dives. To determine the effect of a limited oxygen supply on locomot...

The diving physiology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). I. Balancing the demands of exercise for energy conservation at depth.

During diving, marine mammals must rely on the efficient utilization of a limited oxygen reserve sequestered in the lungs, blood and muscles. To determine the effects of exercise and apnea on the use of these reserves, we examined the physiological responses of adult bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) trained to breath-hold on the water surface or to dive to submerged targets at depths be...

The diving physiology of bottlenose dolpins (Tursiops truncatus): I. Balancing the demands of exercise for energy conservation at depth

Surface Behavior of Bottlenose Dolphins Is Related to Spatial Arrangement of Prey

We tested the hypothesis that spatial arrangement and movements of bottlenose dolphins (TursiopJ truncatm) are related to the spatial arrangement of their prey. From 65 groups we: (1) classified feeding behavior of dolphins according to spatial arrangement and movements of individuals; (2) assessed spatial arrangement and location of prey from direct observations, numbers of associated seabirds...