Daily patterns in aerial activity by spinner dolphins in Fernando de Noronha

Spinner dolphins in Baía dos Golfinhos, Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park, exhibit distinct daily and seasonal patterns in aerial activities such as leaps, spins, and body slaps. The study found that the frequency of these behaviors increases with the number of dolphins present and peaks during the rainy season compared to the dry season. Notably, aerial activity is most pronounced from 8:00 a.m. to 8:59 a.m., regardless of seasonal variations. Researchers analyzed over 113,027 aerial events recorded across five years (2006–2010) using land-based observations, providing insights into the behavioral ecology of these marine mammals in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

De Carli, R. C., Silva, F. J. L., & Silva, J. M. (2017). Daily patterns in aerial activity by spinner dolphins in Fernando de Noronha. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 98(5), 1151–1157. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0025315417000327