Dear colleagues,
The following article was recently published:
Kiszka, J., Simon-Bouhet, B., Charlier, F., Pusineri, C. & Ridoux, V., 2010.
Individual and group behavioural reactions of small delphinids to remote biopsy
sampling. Animal Welfare, 19: 411-417.
Biopsy sampling is an effective technique to collect cetacean skin and blubber
samples for various biological studies. However, determining the impact of this
research practice is important, as impact may vary among sites, species and
gear used. We examined the short-term behavioural reactions of four small
(160-278 cm in length) delphinid species (Stenella longirostris, Stenella
attenuata, Tursiops aduncus and Peponocephala electra) to remote biopsy
sampling around the island of Mayotte (12o50’S, 45o10’E, SW Indian Ocean). Two
scales of behavioural reactions were considered: 1- the behavioural reaction of
the individual, and 2- the reaction of the focal group to which the targeted
individual belonged. Three main categories of behavioural responses were
defined on the basis of the character and duration of behavioural response:
low, moderate and strong. This study underlines that biopsy sampling induces
moderate reactions of individuals. No inter-specific variations of responses,
at the scale of individuals or focal groups, were observed. In other words,
smaller delphinids were not more reactive than larger ones. No effect of group
size was observed on the strength of behavioural reactions. However, it was
clear that biopsy success during sampling sessions was higher in species with
large group size. Finally, in the spinner dolphin (S. longirostris), we
investigated whether initial behavioural state affected the level of reaction.
Resting and socialising groups showed a stronger response than milling and
travelling groups. This study confirms the limited impact of remote biopsy
sampling in small delphinids, especially in the spinner dolphin. However, as a
precautionary approach, in situations where it is possible, biopsy sampling of
milling and travelling dolphins may be preferred.
Please send requests to jeremy.kis...@wanadoo.fr or jeremy.kis...@univ-lr.fr
Best wishes,
Jeremy Kiszka
Jeremy Kiszka (PhD)
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)
IRD-UMR 212 EME (Exploited Marine Ecosystems)
&
Université de La Rochelle. Lab. LIENSS (Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés).
UMR 6250 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle.
Institut du Littoral et de l'Environnement. 2 rue Olympe de Gouge. 17000 La
Rochelle. Tel.: +33 (0)5.46.50.76.48; GSM: +33 (0)6.81.43.20.09. Skype:
jeremy.kiszka
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