Els Vermeulen

Alteration of Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) Behaviour by Human-Induced Disturbance in Bahía San Antonio, Patagonia, Argentina

A study was conducted to assess the behavioural response of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) to human-induced disturbance in Bahia San Antonio, Province of Rio Negro, Argentina. Behavioural observations were made from June to October in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Aerial observations carried out in 2010 show that up to one third of the whale groups were mating groups, indicating that the study area is an important reproduction area for the species. The study compares 65.8 h (on a total effort of 120.3 h and 24 groups of whales) of land-based “undisturbed” whale behaviour observations to 43.6 h of boat-based whale behaviour in a “disturbed” state (total effort of 326.1 h and 34 groups of whales). Analysis of the behavioural data show that whales significantly altered their behaviour by cutting social interactions short (on average 13%) when confronted with human shortrange presence. At the same time, travelling whales experienced a significant increasing tendency to continue travelling (+21%) instead of starting to rest (-21%). However, social behavioural patterns returned swiftly to normal levels after the approach had ended, with a relative increase in “resting” (+18%) as opposed to “travelling” (-30%) rates. These data show that whale behaviour is altered by human approaches, pointing out the need for effective conservation measures and mitigation of behavioural impacts in relation to whale-based tourism.

Demographics of the Disappearing Bottlenose Dolphin in Argentina: A Common Species on Its Way Out?

Populations of the once common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in Argentina have precipitously declined throughout the country in the past decades. Unfortunately, local declines of common species are easily overlooked when establishing priorities for conservation. In this study, demographics of what may well be the last remaining resident population in the country were assessed using mark—recapture analysis (Pollock’s Robust Design) of a photo-identification dataset collected during 2006–2011 in Bahía San Antonio (Patagonia, Argentina). Total abundance, corrected for unmarked individuals, ranged from 40 (95%CI: 16.1–98.8) to 83 (95%CI = 45.8–151.8) individuals and showed a decrease over the years. Adult survival rates varied between 0.97 (± 0.037 SE) and 0.99 (± 0.010 SE). Average calving interval equalled 3.5 ± 1.03 years, with 3.5 births/year in the entire population and a minimum annual birth rate of 4.2%. However, data suggest that calves may have been born and lost before being documented, underestimating birth rate, calf mortality, and possibly the number of reproductive females. Either way, the recruitment rate of calves appears to be insufficient to support the size of the population. This population is relatively small and declining. Considering the disappearance of populations north and south of the study area, an incessant decline will have severe consequences for the continuous existence of this species in Argentina, indicating an urgent need for serious conservation efforts. This study provides insight into how the failure to recognize local population declines can threaten the national (and eventually the international) status of a common species like the bottlenose dolphin.

Genetic divergence between two phenotypically distinct bottlenose dolphin ecotypes suggests separate evolutionary trajectories

Abstract Due to their worldwide distribution and occupancy of different types of environments, bottlenose dolphins display considerable morphological variation. Despite limited understanding about the taxonomic identity of such forms and connectivity among them at global scale, coastal (or inshore) and offshore (or oceanic) ecotypes have been widely recognized in several ocean regions. In the Southwest Atlantic Ocean (SWA), however, there are scarce records of bottlenose dolphins differing in external morphology according to habitat preferences that resemble the coastal‐offshore pattern observed elsewhere. The main aim of this study was to analyze the genetic variability, and test for population structure between coastal (n = 127) and offshore (n = 45) bottlenose dolphins sampled in the SWA to assess whether their external morphological distinction is consistent with genetic differentiation. We used a combination of mtDNA control region sequences and microsatellite genotypes to infer population structure and levels of genetic diversity. Our results from both molecular marker types were congruent and revealed strong levels of structuring (microsatellites F ST = 0.385, p < .001; mtDNA F ST = 0.183, p < .001; ΦST = 0.385, p < .001) and much lower genetic diversity in the coastal than the offshore ecotype, supporting patterns found in previous studies elsewhere. Despite the opportunity for gene flow in potential “contact zones”, we found minimal current and historical connectivity between ecotypes, suggesting they are following discrete evolutionary trajectories. Based on our molecular findings, which seem to be consistent with morphological differentiations recently described for bottlenose dolphins in our study area, we recommend recognizing the offshore bottlenose dolphin ecotype as an additional Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) in the SWA. Implications of these results for the conservation of bottlenose dolphins in SWA are also discussed.

Report of the Working Group on Taxonomy and Stock Identity of bottlenose dolphins in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean

This report compiles the current information on morphology, genetics, stable isotopes, acoustics and parasites of bottlenose dolphins along the Southwest Atlantic Ocean (SWAO), which includes waters of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. The authors also briefly review the proposed taxonomy for the genus along the Atlantic coast of South America.

Diurnal and Seasonal Variation in the Behaviour of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Bahía San Antonio, Patagonia, Argentina

Diurnal and seasonal patterns in the behaviour of a small population of bottlenose dolphins were assessed in Bahia San Antonio (BSA), Patagonia, Argentina, between 2006 and 2011. Results indicated that dolphins used the study area mainly to rest, travel, and forage, with a marked diurnal and seasonal pattern in their activity. During the early morning, most dolphin groups were resting, while towards the afternoon and evening, surface feeding and social activities peaked. During winter, social activities and surface feeding increased notably; during summer, diving behaviour reached its peak, presumably associated with a tail-out/peduncledive foraging strategy. The observed seasonal variation in foraging strategies is hypothesised to be related to the seasonal behavioural changes of prey species in the area that are linked to spawning. The variation in group size further appears to reflect the regulation of feeding competition while reconfirming the low predation risk within the study area. Results of this study indicate the behavioural and social flexibility of bottlenose dolphins in BSA and suggest a link to the seasonal variations in prey availability. Considering the general bottlenose dolphin population declines in Argentina presumably related to prey depletion, it could be argued that the temporal occurrence of spawning shoals and a general low presence of other top predators directly and indirectly make this a favourable area for this population. Additional information is required to more comprehensively address this hypothesis. The information presented herein serves as vital baseline data for future conservation management protocols.

Report of the Working Group on Habitat Use of Tursiops truncatus in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean

The review compiles available information about the habitat use patterns of bottlenose dolphins within the SWAO, including temporal analysis of survey effort allocation, and spatial analysis indicating areas of resident or seasonally resident populations.

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

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 Bahia 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