LATERALIZED BEHAVIOR IN 2 CAPTIVE BOTTLE-NOSED DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS-TRUNCATUS)

The study of behavioral laterality in humans and nonhumans can contrib ute to our understanding of brain evolution and functional similaritie s across species. Few studies have focused on cetaceans. This report e xams lateralized behaviors in two captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiop s truncatus). Observations were made by videotaping through a 90 x 150 cm underwater one-way Plexiglass mirror. Directional bias in swimming , ''barrel-roll'' maneuvers, and circular head movements was assessed for each subject. There was a strong clockwise bias in swimming direct ion and direction of ''barrel-rolls,'' but not circular head movements . The clockwise bias in swimming direction and ''barrel-roll'' maneuve rs may be consistent with a rightward turning bias. (C) 1997 Wiley-Lis s, Inc.