My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our new paper from the Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program: Mintzer, V. J., Quackenbush, A., & Fazioli, K. L. Site fidelity of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in a highly industrialized area of the Galveston Bay estuary. Marine Mammal Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12984
Abstract: Coastal common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that inhabit urban estuaries are exposed to a myriad of anthropogenic threats. To manage and conserve these populations, it is imperative to understand their habitat use and residency patterns. In this study, we evaluated the site fidelity of common bottlenose dolphins in upper Galveston Bay (UGB), a heavily industrialized area of the Galveston Bay estuary. We aimed to identify groups within the population with varying affinity to UGB and to determine if there are resident dolphins in UGB. The Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program conducted monthly photo-identification surveys in UGB between January 2016 and December 2019. We identified 442 distinct dolphins within UGB and used their sighting histories to calculate occurrence, permanence, and periodicity. These site fidelity metrics were incorporated into a cluster analysis that revealed three groups. Group 1 (n = 192, 43%) consisted of individuals with the highest site fidelity to UGB and were classified as year-round or seasonal long-term residents. Group 2 (n = 141, 32%) were transients and Group 3 (n = 109, 25%) were short-term users of UGB. This study identified resident dolphins in UGB, and we recommend that this group be monitored closely, as they are particularly vulnerable to stressors in the upper estuary. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12984 Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Vanessa J. Mintzer, Ph.D. Research Scientist Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program Galveston Bay Foundation P: 352-359-5633 1725 Highway 146, Kemah, TX 77565 galvbay.org<https://galvbay.org/> galvestonbaydolphin.org Vanessa J. Mintzer, Ph.D. Research Scientist Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program Galveston Bay Foundation P: 352-359-5633 | F: 832-284-4982 1725 Highway 146, Kemah, TX 77565 galvbay.org<https://galvbay.org/> galvestonbaydolphin.org [cid:image001.png@01D8F83F.E7AB2210]
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