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Intertidal habitat use of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Bahía San Antonio, Argentina

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 May 2017

Els Vermeulen
Els Vermeulen*
Affiliation:
Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, cnr Lynnwood Road and Roper Street, Hatfield, South Africa, Whalefish, 2/10/72 Lancefield Quay, Glasgow G38JF, UK; Sea Search, 4 Bath road, Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: E. Vermeulen, Whalefish, 2/10/72 Lancefield Quay, Glasgow G38JF, UK email: elsvermeulen5@gmail.com
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Abstract

Very little information is available on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) habitat use in the South-western Atlantic. It is, however, essential in understanding their ecology and to improve conservation management. In this study, habitat use of bottlenose dolphins was examined in Bahía San Antonio, an area frequented by the species. Given the large tidal amplitude and extended intertidal zone in this bay, special focus was given to the intertidal vs subtidal habitat use patterns. Bottlenose dolphins were observed in only half of the surveyed area, with on average 1 dolphin group encountered per 100 km surveyed. All dolphin groups were seen in shallow waters <10 m deep. GLM analyses showed that especially during high tide, depth had an important effect on the dolphin encounter rate, with most dolphin groups encountered in the intertidal zone. While in the intertidal zone, most dolphin groups were observed to be engaged in surface feeding activities. The presented data indicate dolphins remained in shallow waters, and moved to the intertidal zone during high tide where they appear to find feeding opportunities. This information is believed to be of high value in understanding this population's ecological needs, and essential when aiming to improve marine conservation efforts at times of increased anthropogenic pressures in the area.

Keywords

bottlenose dolphincoastal habitatenvironmental variableshabitat useintertidal zone
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 98 , Special Issue 5: Marine Mammals , August 2018 , pp. 1109 - 1118
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2017 

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