Gridley, T.Elwen, Simon HarveyHarris, G.Moore, D.M.Hoelzel, A.R.Lampen, F.2018-12-072018-12-072018-09-12Gridley T, Elwen SH, Harris G, Moore DM, Hoelzel AR, Lampen F (2018) Hybridization in bottlenose dolphinsÐA case study of Tursiops aduncus × T. truncatus hybrids and successful backcross hybridization events. PLoS ONE 13(9): e0201722. https://DOI.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201722.1932-6203 (online)10.1371/journal.pone.0201722http://hdl.handle.net/2263/68055The bottlenose dolphin, genus Tursiops is one of the best studied of all the Cetacea with a minimum of two species widely recognised. Common bottlenose dolphins (T. truncatus), are the cetacean species most frequently held in captivity and are known to hybridize with species from at least 6 different genera. In this study, we document several intra-generic hybridization events between T. truncatus and T. aduncus held in captivity. We demonstrate that the F1 hybrids are fertile and can backcross producing apparently healthy offspring, thereby showing introgressive inter-specific hybridization within the genus. We document that female F1 hybrids can reach sexual maturity at 4 yr and 3 mo of age, and can become pregnant and give birth before being fully weaned. The information presented has implications for understanding hybrid reticulation among cetacean species and practical implications for captive facilities housing either Tursiops species or hybrids thereof.en© 2018 Gridley et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.HybridizationGenusSexual maturityProgenyPregnancyInterspecific hybridizationBottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)Article