Abundance, survival and temporary emigration of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) off Useless Loop in the western gulf of Shark Bay, Western Australia
Krista Nicholson A D , Lars Bejder A , Simon J. Allen A , Michael Krützen B and Kenneth H. Pollock A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit, Centre for Fish, Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems Research, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
B Evolutionary Genetics Group, University of Zurich, Winterhurerstr.190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
C North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617, USA.
D Corresponding author. Email: krista.e.nicholson@gmail.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 63(11) 1059-1068 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF12210
Submitted: 6 August 2012 Accepted: 13 September 2012 Published: 26 November 2012
Abstract
Capture–recapture models were used to provide estimates of abundance, apparent survival and temporary emigration of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in a 226-km2 study area off Useless Loop in the western gulf of Shark Bay, Western Australia. Photo-identification data were collected during boat-based surveys in Austral autumn to early spring (April–September) from 2007 to 2011. Abundance estimates varied from 115 (s.e. 5.2, 95% CI 105–126) individuals in 2008 to 208 (s.e. 17.3, 95% CI 177–245) individuals in 2010. The variability in abundance estimates is likely to be a reflection of how individuals used the study area, rather than fluctuations in true population size. The best fitting capture–recapture model suggested a random temporary emigration pattern and, when coupled with relatively high temporary emigration rates (0.33 (s.e. 0.07) – 0.66 (s.e. 0.05)) indicated that the study area did not cover the entire ranges of the photo-identified dolphins. Apparent survival rate is a product of true survival and permanent emigration and was estimated annually at 0.95 (s.e. 0.02). Since permanent emigration from the study area is unlikely, true survival was estimated to be close to 0.95. This study provides a robust baseline for future comparisons of dolphin demographics, which may be of importance should climate change or increasing anthropogenic activity affect this population.
Additional keywords : capture-recapture, demographic parameters, photo-identification, Pollock’s closed robust design.
References
Allen, S. J., Bejder, L., and Krützen, M. (2011). Why do Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) carry conch shells (Turbinella sp.) in Shark Bay, Western Australia? Marine Mammal Science 27, 449–454.| Why do Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) carry conch shells (Turbinella sp.) in Shark Bay, Western Australia?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bacher, K., Allen, S., Lindholm, A. K., Bejder, L., and Krützen, M. (2010). Genes or culture: are mitochondrial genes associated with tool use in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.)? Behavior Genetics 40, 706–714.
| Genes or culture: are mitochondrial genes associated with tool use in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.)?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3cjktlyjtw%3D%3D&md5=161395bdaba3f3f24345525f37b52601CAS |
Bejder, L., Hodgson, A., Loneragan, N., and Allen, S. (2012). The need for re-evaluation of species listings and short-comings in the Environmental Impact Assessment process. Pacific Conservation Biology 18, 22–25.
Burnham, K. P., and Anderson, D. R. (2002) ‘Model Selection and Multimodel Inference: a Practical Information-theoretic Approach.’ 2nd edn. (Springer-Verlag: New York.)
Burnham, K. P., Anderson, D. R., White, G. C., Brownie, C., and Pollock, K. H. (1987). Design and analysis methods for fish survival experiments based on release-recapture. American Fisheries Society Monograph 5. Bethesda, MD.
Cantor, M., Wedekin, L. L., Daura-Jorge, F. G., Rossi-Santos, M. R., and Simões-Lopes, P. C. (2012). Assessing population parameters and trends of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis): an eight-year mark–recapture study. Marine Mammal Science 28, 63–83.
| Assessing population parameters and trends of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis): an eight-year mark–recapture study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Connor, R. C., and Smolker, R. S. (1985). Habituated dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Western Australia. Journal of Mammalogy 66, 398–400.
| Habituated dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Connor, R. C., Smolker, R. A., and Richards, A. F. (1992). Two levels of alliance formation among male bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 89, 987–990.
| Two levels of alliance formation among male bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MrmtFejtQ%3D%3D&md5=513508e84e4d5a42067a7c594fea35a8CAS |
Connor, R. C., Heithaus, M. R., Berggren, P., and Miksis, J. L. (2000a). ‘Kerplunking’: surface fluke-splashes during shallow-water bottom foraging by bottlenose dolphins. Marine Mammal Science 16, 646–653.
| ‘Kerplunking’: surface fluke-splashes during shallow-water bottom foraging by bottlenose dolphins.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Connor, R. C., Wells, R. S., Mann, J., and Read, A. J. (2000b). The bottlenose dolphin: social relationships in a fission–fusion society. In ‘Cetacean Societies: Field Studies of Dolphins and Whales’. (Eds J. Mann, R. C. Connor, P. L. Tyack and H. Whitehead.) pp. 91–126. (The University of Chicago Press: Chicago, IL.)
Connor, R. C., Watson-Capps, J. J., Sherwin, W. B., and Krützen, M. (2011). A new level of complexity in the male alliance networks of Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.). Biology Letters 7, 623–626.
| A new level of complexity in the male alliance networks of Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
DEWHA (2010). Tropical inshore dolphin workshop report. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Townsville, 4–5 May 2010.
Evans, P. G. H., and Hammond, P. S. (2004). Monitoring cetaceans in European waters. Mammal Review 34, 131–156.
| Monitoring cetaceans in European waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Friday, N., Smith, T. D., Stevick, P. T., and Allen, J. (2000). Measurement of photographic quality and individual distinctiveness for the photographic identification of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae. Marine Mammal Science 16, 355–374.
| Measurement of photographic quality and individual distinctiveness for the photographic identification of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Friday, N. A., Smith, T. D., Stevick, P. T., Allen, J., and Fernald, T. (2008). Balancing bias and precision in capture–recapture estimates of abundance. Marine Mammal Science 24, 253–275.
| Balancing bias and precision in capture–recapture estimates of abundance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gowans, S., and Whitehead, H. (2001). Photographic identification of northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus): sources of heterogeneity from natural marks. Marine Mammal Science 17, 76–93.
| Photographic identification of northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus): sources of heterogeneity from natural marks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hammond, P. S. (1986). Estimating the size of naturally marked whale populations using capture–recapture techniques. Report of the International Whaling Commission. Special Issue 8, 252–282.
Hammond, P. S. (1990). Capturing whales on film – estimating cetacean population parameters from individual recognition data. Mammal Review 20, 17–22.
| Capturing whales on film – estimating cetacean population parameters from individual recognition data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hammond, P. S. (2010). Estimating the abundance of marine mammals. In ‘Marine Ecology and Conservation: a Handbook of Techniques’. (Eds I. L. Boyd, W. D. Bowen and S. J. Iverson.) pp. 42–67. (Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.)
Heithaus, M. R., and Dill, L. M. (2002). Food availability and tiger shark predation risk influence bottlenose dolphin habitat use. Ecology 83, 480–491.
| Food availability and tiger shark predation risk influence bottlenose dolphin habitat use.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Heithaus, M. R., Wirsing, A. J., Frid, A., and Dill, L. M. (2007). Behavioral indicators in marine conservation: lessons from a pristine seagrass ecosystem. Israel Journal of Ecology and Evolution 53, 355–370.
Kendall, W. L. (1999). Robustness of closed capture–recapture methods to violations of the closure assumption. Ecology 80, 2517–2525.
Kendall, W. L., and Nichols, J. D. (1995). On the use of secondary capture–recapture samples to estimate temporary emigration and breeding proportions. Journal of Applied Statistics 22, 751–762.
| On the use of secondary capture–recapture samples to estimate temporary emigration and breeding proportions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kendall, W. L., Pollock, K. H., and Brownie, C. (1995). A likelihood-based approach to capture–recapture estimation of demographic parameters under the robust design. Biometrics 51, 293–308.
| A likelihood-based approach to capture–recapture estimation of demographic parameters under the robust design.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK2M3osVansQ%3D%3D&md5=5b19509bedeaa2b835f56892326c8572CAS |
Kendall, W. L., Nichols, J. D., and Hines, J. E. (1997). Estimating temporary emigration using capture–recapture data with Pollock’s robust design. Ecology 78, 563–578.
Krützen, M., Sherwin, W. B., Berggren, P., and Gales, N. (2004). Population structure in an inshore cetacean revealed by microsatellite and mtDNA analysis: bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Marine Mammal Science 20, 28–47.
| Population structure in an inshore cetacean revealed by microsatellite and mtDNA analysis: bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Shark Bay, Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Le Cren, E. D. (1965). A note on the history of mark–recapture population estimates. Journal of Animal Ecology 34, 453–454.
| A note on the history of mark–recapture population estimates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lincoln, F. C. (1930). Calculating waterfowl abundance on the basis of banding returns. United States Department of Agriculture Circular 118, 1–4.
Lukoschek, V., and Chilvers, B. L. (2008). A robust baseline for bottlenose dolphin abundance in coastal Moreton Bay: a large carnivore living in a region of escalating anthropogenic impacts. Wildlife Research 35, 593–605.
| A robust baseline for bottlenose dolphin abundance in coastal Moreton Bay: a large carnivore living in a region of escalating anthropogenic impacts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mann, J., and Sargeant, B. (2003). Like mother, like calf: the ontogeny of foraging traditions in wild Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.). In ‘The Biology of Traditions: Models and Evidence’. (Eds D. M. Fragaszy and S. Perry.) pp. 236–266. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Norris, J. L., and Pollock, K. H. (1996). Nonparametric MLE under two closed capture–recapture models with heterogeneity. Biometrics 52, 639–649.
| Nonparametric MLE under two closed capture–recapture models with heterogeneity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Otis, D. L., Burnham, K. P., White, G. C., and Anderson, D. R. (1978). Statistical inference from capture data on closed animal populations. Wildlife Monographs 62, 3–135.
Parra, G. J., Corkeron, P. J., and Marsh, H. (2006). Population sizes, site fidelity and residence patterns of Australian snubfin and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins: implications for conservation. Biological Conservation 129, 167–180.
| Population sizes, site fidelity and residence patterns of Australian snubfin and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins: implications for conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pledger, S. (2000). Unified maximum likelihood estimates for closed capture–recapture models using mixtures. Biometrics 56, 434–442.
| Unified maximum likelihood estimates for closed capture–recapture models using mixtures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3cvotVymuw%3D%3D&md5=800831caf5de21968641629df51c8f5aCAS |
Pollock, K. H. (1982). A capture-recapture design robust to unequal probability of capture. The Journal of Wildlife Management 46, 752–757.
| A capture-recapture design robust to unequal probability of capture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pollock, K. H., Nichols, J. D., Brownie, C., and Hines, J. E. (1990). Statistical inference for capture–recapture experiments. Wildlife Monographs 107, 3–97.
Preen, A. R., Marsh, H., Lawler, I. R., Prince, R. I. T., and Shepherd, R. (1997). Distribution and abundance of dugongs, turtles, dolphins and other megafauna in Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia. Wildlife Research 24, 185–208.
| Distribution and abundance of dugongs, turtles, dolphins and other megafauna in Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Randic, S., Connor, R. C., Sherwin, W. B., and Krützen, M. (2012). A novel mammalian social structure in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.): complex male alliances in an open social network. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 279, 3083–3090.
Read, A. J., Urian, K. W., Wilson, B., and Waples, D. M. (2003). Abundance of bottlenose dolphins in the bays, sounds, and estuaries of North Carolina. Marine Mammal Science 19, 59–073.
| Abundance of bottlenose dolphins in the bays, sounds, and estuaries of North Carolina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (2006). ‘Manual for Field Research and Laboratory Activities.’ Available at www.sarasotadolphin.org [accessed 10 September 2012].
Sargeant, B., Wirsing, A., Heithaus, M., and Mann, J. (2007). Can environmental heterogeneity explain individual foraging variation in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.)? Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 61, 679–688.
| Can environmental heterogeneity explain individual foraging variation in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.)?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schwarz, C. J., Schweigert, J. F., and Arnason, A. N. (1993). Estimating migration rates using tag-recovery data. Biometrics 49, 177–193.
| Estimating migration rates using tag-recovery data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Seber, G. A. F. (1982). ‘The Estimation of Animal Abundance, and Related Parameters.’ 2nd edn. (MacMillan: New York.)
Silva, M. A., Magalhaes, S., Prieto, R., Santos, R. S., and Hammond, P. S. (2009). Estimating survival and abundance in a bottlenose dolphin population taking into account transience and temporary emigration. Marine Ecology Progress Series 392, 263–276.
| Estimating survival and abundance in a bottlenose dolphin population taking into account transience and temporary emigration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smolker, R. A., Richards, A. F., Connor, R. C., and Pepper, J. W. (1992). Sex differences in patterns of association among Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins. Behaviour 123, 38–69.
| Sex differences in patterns of association among Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smolker, R., Richards, A., Connor, R., Mann, J., and Berggren, P. (1997). Sponge carrying by dolphins (Delphinidae, Tursiops sp.): a foraging specialization involving tool use? Ethology 103, 454–465.
| Sponge carrying by dolphins (Delphinidae, Tursiops sp.): a foraging specialization involving tool use?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Speakman, T. R., Lane, S. M., Schwacke, L. H., Fair, P. A., and Zolman, E. S. (2010). Mark–recapture estimates of seasonal abundance and survivorship for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) near Charleston, South Carolina, USA. The Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 11, 153–162.
Tyne, J. A., Loneragan, N. R., Kopps, A. M., Allen, S. J., Krützen, M., and Bejder, L. (2012). Ecological characteristics contribute to sponge distribution and tool use in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops sp. Marine Ecology Progress Series 444, 143–153.
| Ecological characteristics contribute to sponge distribution and tool use in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops sp.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Urian, K., Hohn, A. A., and Hansen, L. J. (1999). Status of the photo-identification catalog of coastal bottlenose dolphins of the western North Atlantic. Report of a workshop of catalog contributors. NOAA Administrative Report, NMFS–SEFSC 425.
Walker, D. I., Kendrick, G. A., and McComb, A. J. (1988). The distribution of seagrass species in shark bay, Western Australia, with notes on their ecology. Aquatic Botany 30, 305–317.
| The distribution of seagrass species in shark bay, Western Australia, with notes on their ecology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Watson, J. J. (2005). Female mating behaviour in the context of sexual coercion and female ranging behaviour of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Ph.D. Thesis, Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
Waycott, M., Duarte, C. M., Carruthers, T. J. B., Orth, R. J., Dennison, W. C., Olyarnik, S., Calladine, A., Fourqurean, J. W., Heck, K. L., Hughes, A. R., Kendrick, G. A., Kenworthy, W. J., Short, F. T., Williams, S. L., and Paine, R. T. (2009). Accelerating loss of seagrasses across the globe threatens coastal ecosystems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 106, 12 377–12 381.
| Accelerating loss of seagrasses across the globe threatens coastal ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXpslGjsbo%3D&md5=7e1510411eb7aca56add4bf0902bc0c6CAS |
White, G. C., and Burnham, K. P. (1999). Program MARK: survival estimation from populations of marked animals. Bird Study 46, 120–139.
| Program MARK: survival estimation from populations of marked animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Williams, B. K., Nichols, J. D., and Conroy, M. J. (2002) ‘Analysis and Management of Animal Populations.’ (Academic Press: San Diego, CA.)
Wilson, B., Hammond, P. S., and Thompson, P. M. (1999). Estimating size and assessing trends in a coastal bottlenose dolphin population. Ecological Applications 9, 288–300.
| Estimating size and assessing trends in a coastal bottlenose dolphin population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Würsig, B., and Jefferson, T. A. (1990). Methods of photo-identification for small cetaceans. Report of the International Whaling Commission. Special Issue 12, 43–52.
Würsig, B., and Würsig, M. (1977). The photographic determination of group size, composition, and stability of coastal porpoises (Tursiops truncatus). Science 198, 755–756.
| The photographic determination of group size, composition, and stability of coastal porpoises (Tursiops truncatus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yoshizaki, J., Pollock, K. H., Brownie, C., and Webster, R. A. (2009). Modeling misidentification errors in capture–recapture studies using photographic identification of evolving marks. Ecology 90, 3–9.
| Modeling misidentification errors in capture–recapture studies using photographic identification of evolving marks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
