Fission–fusion dynamics of a pelagic delphinid in the arctic: the white‐beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)

Delphinids exhibit great variability in their social structures. It is therefore important to document lesser known species, in extreme changing habitats, to compare and contrast mechanisms driving sociality. Here, we describe the first long‐term assessment of social structure of white‐beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) using a compiled version of SOCPROG 2.8 and an 11‐year photo‐identification dataset (2002–2013) collected from whale‐watching vessels at 2 sites (Faxaflói and Skjálfandi bays) off Iceland. We identified a total of 487 dolphins which are suggested to be part of an open population as shown by the discovery curve obtained analyzing photo‐id data. The social analyses were restricted to 35 adults which were sighted on ≥5 different days. The mean residency time of white‐beaked dolphins in our 2 study areas was of 95 days (SE = 35.63; 95% CI: 23–171), with the “migration‐full interchange” model best describing movements of dolphins in and out of our 2 study sites. Social differentiation in this population was high (Likelihood: S = 0.87, SE = 0.04; r = 0.31, SE = 0.03) indicating diverse, non‐random social relationships. Temporal associations best fit the model of “casual acquaintances” against the standardized lagged association rates with the majority of white‐beaked dolphin associations being short‐term, but with a few long‐term across years. Testing for preferred companionship, long‐term associations are favored over short‐term. In this study, associations among white‐beaked dolphins are short‐term but with desirably long‐term associations fitting into a society with fission–fusion dynamics. This information expands the latitudinal range for which social structure has been described for oceanic dolphin species. Information is lacking on the social structure of white‐beaked dolphins. 11 years of photo‐identification data were collected from whale‐watching vessels at 2 sites off Iceland. Associations among white‐beaked dolphins are short‐term but with preferred long‐term associations fitting into a society with fission–fusion dynamics, information which expands the latitudinal range for which social structure has been described for oceanic dolphin species.