New Research by Morigenos Reveals Distinct Feeding Habits Among Northern Adriatic Dolphins

Dolphins in the northern Adriatic Sea don’t all eat the same food. For over 20 years, Morigenos has studied the population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Gulf of Trieste and surrounding waters. Previous research showed that these dolphins form distinct social groups, each with unique behaviours and habitat use. Now, new research led by Morigenos, in collaboration with the University of St Andrews (UK) and the University of Barcelona (Spain), shows that these differences extend to their diet as well.
Published in the renowned journal Science of the Total Environment, the study revealed that bottlenose dolphins in the northern Adriatic Sea display distinct feeding habits, even within the same population. Dolphin social groups occupy different ecological niches, with their own dietary preferences and feeding strategies. These findings suggest that both social and ecological factors shape feeding habits in this population.
“This study shows that dolphins in the same population can behave very differently when it comes to feeding,” said Dr. Tilen Genov of Morigenos, who led the study. “Recognizing these differences is crucial for understanding the impact of human activities on dolphins, and vice-versa, including potential effects on fishing.”
Contrary to popular belief, not all dolphins interact with fisheries in the same way. Some fishermen assume that dolphins always reduce catches or damage nets, but decades of observation reveal substantial variation in behaviour among different individuals or social groups.
Surprisingly, no clear link was found between dietary patterns and levels of harmful pollutants in dolphin tissues. This challenges assumptions that feeding habits alone dictate contaminant exposure and highlights the need to consider more complex ecological factors.
The research underscores the importance of conserving not only species and genetic diversity, but also behavioral diversity. By understanding these subtle distinctions in marine food webs, humanity can make more informed decisions to protect marine ecosystems.
The article is freely available HERE.