Hi Folks,
The following paper is now available online from
Marine and Freshwater Research at
http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/126/paper/MF08109.htm
or by emailing me for the pdf ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):
Abundance, site fidelity and range patterns of
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops
aduncus) in two Australian subtropical estuaries.
Marine and Freshwater Research 59, 10151027.
by Christine Fury and Peter Harrison
Abstract
Bottlenose dolphins are widely studied in marine
habitats, but information on estuarine
populations is very limited. The present study
provides the first published data on bottlenose
dolphins in Australian estuaries. Abundance
estimates, site fidelity and individual ranging
patterns were examined over a 3-year period for
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops
aduncus) inhabiting the Clarence River (CR) and
Richmond River (RR) estuaries in northern New
South Wales, Australia. Markrecapture analyses
estimated 71 (6281 95% CI) dolphins utilised the
CR whereas 34 (1949 95% CI) used the RR.
Differences in site fidelity were observed
between the estuaries, with 60% and 37% of
identified dolphins determined as residents, 26%
and 21% as occasional visitors and 14% and 42% as
transients for the CR and RR respectively.
Resource partitioning was apparent in both
estuaries with the mean distance resident
dolphins were found upstream from the river mouth
being greater than occasional visitors and
transients. The Clarence River sustains a larger,
predominantly resident dolphin community compared
with the Richmond River, which supports a
relatively small dolphin community with lower
site fidelity. Management of future increased
anthropogenic disturbances is needed to ensure
the long-term survival of these dolphin populations.
Keywords: closed population, estuary, population
size, ranging patterns, residency patterns
Regards
Christine
Christine Fury ;-)
Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre
Southern Cross University
P.O. Box 157, Lismore, N.S.W. Australia, 2480
Mobile 0408-264-330
Ph. +61 2 6620-3815
Fax. +61 2 6621-2669
Webpage: http://www.scu.edu.au/research/whales/christine.html
_______________________________________________
MARMAM mailing list
MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca
https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
