Factors related to common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) seasonal migration along South Carolina and Georgia coasts, USA
Little is known about common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) seasonal migration along the United States southeastern Atlantic coast, or what factors influence migratory patterns. Therefore, our objectives were to: 1) document evidence for seasonal movement of dolphins in this region (that wo...
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| Autores principales: | , , , , |
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| Formato: | article |
| Lenguaje: | EN |
| Publicado: |
De Gruyter
2016
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://doaj.org/article/e115480f7a5d418cac03e28f22934d6e |
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| Sumario: | Little is known about common bottlenose dolphin
(Tursiops truncatus) seasonal migration along the United
States southeastern Atlantic coast, or what factors influence
migratory patterns. Therefore, our objectives were to: 1)
document evidence for seasonal movement of dolphins in
this region (that would indicate migratory behavior) and 2)
determine if seasonal changes in abundance and temporary
emigration (i.e., migration indicators) for dolphins along
South Carolina and Georgia coasts are related to changes
in water quality variables. Previously collected capturerecapture
data (from visual sightings of individual
dolphins) and water quality data from Charleston, South
Carolina and St. Catherine’s Island, Georgia were used to
achieve our objective. Robust design models were used to
estimate seasonal abundance and temporary emigration
for the Charleston population, whereas closed population
capture-recapture models were used to estimate seasonal
abundances for the St. Catherine’s Island population.
The Charleston population showed seasonal abundance
and temporary emigration patterns with low estimates in
winter, which increased in spring, peaked in summer, and
decreased in fall. Seasonal temporary emigration was best
explained by water temperature, which followed the same
general pattern. Seasonal abundance in the St. Catherine’s
population was best explained by salinity, but no consistent
pattern in abundance was observed. Our results not only
provide the first evidence of a clear seasonal migration of
dolphins in this region, but can aid in conservation and management efforts by increasing accuracy of abundance
estimates. |
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