Sex in Cetaceans Morphology, Behavior, and the Evolution of Sexual Strategies

About this book

Sex in Cetaceans provides an up-to-date review of multi-faceted aspects related to mating and reproduction in toothed and baleen whales. This book begins with discussions of sexual selection and anatomical traits related to mating and diversity between the sexes. The functions of non-conceptive copulations are reviewed as are different research techniques applied to explore sex in cetaceans. Authors and editors build knowledge of female and male social, mating, and parental strategies and tactics for several specific toothed dolphin/porpoise/whale species and baleen whale species. It concludes with a discussion of potential conservation efforts and ways to help especially beleaguered species and populations the world over.

The volume is intended as a major primer of cetacean sex for undergraduate and graduate students, new and established researchers in the field, and the public wishing to learn more.

Contents

Chapter 1. Sex and Behavior
Chapter 2. Genetic Tools to Investigate the Consequences of Sex
Chapter 3. Skulls, Teeth, and Sex
Chapter 4. Cetacean Evolution: Copulatory and Birthing Consequences of Pelvic and Hindlimb Reduction
Chapter 5. Sexual Anatomy of Female Cetaceans: Art and Science Contribute Insights into Functionality
Chapter 6. Interspecific Comparison of Reproductive Strategies
Chapter 7. Non-Conceptive Sexual Behavior in Cetaceans: Comparison of Form and Function
Chapter 8. Play, Sexual Display, or Just Boredom Relief?
Chapter 9. Sexual Behaviors of Odontocetes in Managed Care
Chapter 10. Infanticide and Sexual Conflict in Cetaceans
Chapter 11. Drone Perspectives on cetacean Mating and Sex
Chapter 12. Inter- and Intra-population Variation in Bottlenose Dolphin Mating Strategies
Chapter 13. Sex and Sexual Strategies in Deep Diving Risso's Dolphins
Chapter 14. Sociosexual Behavior of Nocturnally Foraging Dusky and Spinner Dolphins
Chapter 15. Reproductive Parameters, Sociobiology, and Mating Strategies of Pilot Whales
Chapter 16. Sex in Killer Whales: Behavior, Exogamy and the Evolution of Sexual Strategies in the Ocean's Apex Predator
Chapter 17. Beaked Whale Sexual Dimorphism, Mating Strategies, and Diversification
Chapter 18. Sexual Behavior and Anatomy in Porpoises
Chapter 19. Sperm Whale Reproductive Strategies: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
Chapter 20. Reproductive Tactics in Baleen Whales
Chapter 21. Gray Whale Sex, Reproductive Behavior, and Social Strategies
Chapter 22. Bowhead Whale Reproductive Strategies
Chapter 23. Right Whale Sexual Strategies and Behavior
Chapter 24. Cetacean Sociality, Reproduction, and Conservation

Customer Reviews

Biography

Bernd Würsig studies behaviour and social strategies in marine mammals, with a speciality in toothed whale (odontocete) societies. He has published >200 peer review papers, book chapters, and books. He is perhaps best known for his books on Hawaiian spinner dolphins, marine mammals of the Gulf of Mexico, dusky dolphins, Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (eds. 1-3, from 2000 to 2018), a Springer Nature book on ethology and behavioural ecology of odontocetes (2019), and a recent Springer Nature book (with Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara) on human influences on marine mammals in this strong Anthropocene Epoch (2022). He is Regents and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M University Galveston.

Dara N. Orbach explores evolutionary biology with a focus on the co-evolution of anatomy and behaviour, reproductive morphology, sexual selection, and behavioural ecology. While mostly focused on marine mammals, she is a comparative biologist with research experience in other systems including birds, bats, and fish. She has published more than 35 peer review papers and book chapters, including a chapter on "Sexual Strategies: Male and Female Mating Tactics" for a 2019 Springer Nature book on odontocetes. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Marine Biology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.