Studies into cetaceans (whales and dolphins) keep on delivering remarkable findings.

The latest study, conducted by the University of Manchester and the University of British Columbia in Canada, has revealed that whales and dolphins form tight social groups, have complex relationships and even have regional dialects.

90 different species of dolphins, whales and porpoises were used to conduct this study and it found a definite link between brain size and social abilities.

It found, among other things that cetaceans can work together to benefit the whole group, teach younglings how to hunt cooperatively, talk to each other in their own unique dialect, name recognition and looking after younglings who aren’t their own.

Dr Susanne Shultz, an evolutionary biologist at Manchester’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, said: “As humans, our ability to socially interact and cultivate relationships has allowed us to colonise almost every ecosystem and environment on the planet. We know whales and dolphins also have exceptionally large and anatomically sophisticated brains and, therefore, have created a similar marine-based culture.