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 (cfury@scu.edu.au):
Abundance, site fidelity and range patterns of Indo-Pacific
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in two Australian
subtropical estuaries. Marine and Freshwater Research 59,
1015–1027.
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. Mark–recapture analyses estimated 71 (62–81 95% CI) dolphins
utilised the CR whereas 34 (19–49 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