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Optimizing T-pod settings and testing range of detection for bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 April 2011

Riley G. Elliott ,
Stephen M. Dawson  and
William J. Rayment
Riley G. Elliott
Affiliation:
Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
Stephen M. Dawson*
Affiliation:
Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
William J. Rayment
Affiliation:
Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: S.M. Dawson, Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand email: steve.dawson@otago.ac.nz
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Abstract

Autonomous acoustic data loggers can provide useful data on habitat use and activity patterns of vocalizing cetaceans. One type, the T-POD, uses filters that can be set to match the click characteristics of the target species. We used wideband acoustic recordings to document typical click spectra of bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand, in order to develop T-POD settings optimal for that population. T-PODs at these settings made between 8 and 33 times as many detections as accompanying T-PODs set as in other studies of this species, confirming the value of optimizing settings for a particular dolphin population. Maximum detection range was 1313 m, and mean range of first detection was 593 m. Of 45 groups observed within 500 m of the T-POD, 47% were detected acoustically. Effective detection radius was estimated at 266 m (95% CI 222–317 m).

Keywords

bottlenose dolphinT-PODacousticecholocationdetection
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 92 , Issue 8: Marine Mammals , December 2012 , pp. 1901 - 1907
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2011

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