In a study observing play behaviors among bottlenose dolphins, researchers discovered that the use of an 'open mouth' facial expression serves as a form of communication during social play. This expression, seen nearly exclusively among dolphin playmates, suggests a significant role for visual signals in dolphin interactions, enabling them to express and respond to each other's playfulness more effectively. The fact that dolphins mirrored each other's expressions illustrates the complexity of their social engagement, which is akin to human laughter and smiling.
Elisabetta Palagi, the senior author of the study, emphasized that the discovery of this distinct open-mouth facial display is pivotal. It not only showcases dolphins' unique social behaviors but also reflects a broader mammal trait. Palagi remarked, 'Open-mouth signals and rapid mimicry appear repeatedly across the mammal family tree, which suggests that visual communication has played a crucial role in shaping complex social interactions, not only in dolphins but in many species over time.'
The research revealed that while dolphins exhibit this facial expression predominantly during interactions with other dolphins, they were much less likely to display it during solitary play or when engaged with humans. Specifically, the study noted only one instance of the open mouth expression during solitary play compared to a striking 1,288 instances during social play sessions with fellow dolphins, underscoring the importance of social context in the display of this behavior.
Collection
[
|
...
]