We are delighted to share with all of you our last study on the ecology of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins in the Northern Persian Gulf published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research.

Title: Abundance estimation, group dynamics, and residence patterns of Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) in the Dayer‑Nakhiloo Marine National Park, Northern Persian Gulf, Iran

Authors: Nazanin Mohsenian, Séverine Methion, Hamed Moshiri, Shadi Karbalaei Hassan, Shaghayegh Afkhami, Mohammad Amin Tollab, Mahmod Sadeh, Gill T. Braulik, Bruno Díaz López

Abstract

The Persian Gulf is positioned in the heart of the Middle East as one of the most critical water bodies. Indian Ocean humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) are distributed in nearshore waters and are therefore highly vulnerable to a variety of anthropogenic pressures. To our knowledge, there is a little information and data available about habitat use and abundance of this endangered species in Iranian waters. In the present study, baseline data about population size and site fidelity of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins in the Dayer-Nakhiloo Marine National Park in Northern Persian Gulf, Iran, has been explored for the first time. From March 2014 to December 2018, 127 boat-based surveys and 6436 km of survey effort were conducted. Overall, 127 groups of humpback dolphins were observed on 62% of the surveys. Humpback dolphin group size ranged from 1 to 14 individuals (mean 5.8 ± SE 0.3). Abundance estimates were calculated and fitted with open population models. Thirty (95% CI 22–38) humpback dolphins were estimated to inhabit the study area. There was a lack of seasonality in the occurrence of humpback dolphins and strong site fidelity within the Dayer-Nakhiloo Marine National Park. Most of the identified individuals used the study zone regularly (79.5%), while a smaller number were present less often. The results of this study provide important baseline information about humpback dolphin ecology in an area subject to significant anthropogenic

pressures which can help to take effective conservation and management measures.

Journal Reference: 

Mohsenian, N., Methion, S., Moshiri, H., Hassan, S.K., Afkhami, S., Tollab, M.A., Sadeh, M., Braulik, G.T. and Díaz López, B., 2022. Abundance estimation, group dynamics, and residence patterns of Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) in the Dayer-Nakhiloo Marine National Park, Northern Persian Gulf, Iran. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 68(2), pp.1-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-022-01565-y

You can read the article here:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359005141_Abundance_estimation_group_dynamics_and_residence_patterns_of_Indian_Ocean_humpback_dolphin_Sousa_plumbea_in_the_Dayer-Nakhiloo_Marine_National_Park_Northern_Persian_Gulf_Iran

Please do not hesitate to ask for any question regarding our study or to request a PDF copy of the article.