Shark Bay Bottlenose Dolphins: A Case Study for Defining and Measuring Sociality

2013 ◽  
pp. 115-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret A. Stanton ◽  
Janet Mann
Keyword(s):  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Shark Bay

scholarly journals Sociality and tattoo skin disease among bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 459-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah N Powell ◽  
Megan M Wallen ◽  
Madison L Miketa ◽  
Ewa Krzyszczyk ◽  
Vivienne Foroughirad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Skin Disease ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Shark Bay ◽  
Infection Dynamics ◽  
The Social ◽  
First Year Of Life

Abstract Social behavior is an important driver of infection dynamics, though identifying the social interactions that foster infectious disease transmission is challenging. Here we examine how social behavior impacts disease transmission in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) using an easily identifiable skin disease and social network data. We analyzed tattoo skin disease (TSD) lesions based on photographs collected as part of a 34-year longitudinal study in relation to the sociality of T. aduncus using three metrics (degree, time spent socializing, and time in groups) and network structure, using the k-test. We show that calves with TSD in the second year of life associated more with TSD-positive individuals in the first year of life compared with calves that did not have TSD. Additionally, the network k-test showed that the social network links are epidemiologically relevant for transmission. However, degree, time spent in groups, and time spent socializing were not significantly different between infected and uninfected groups. Our findings indicate that association with infected individuals is predictive of an individual’s risk for TSD and that the social association network can serve as a proxy for studying the epidemiology of skin diseases in bottlenose dolphins.

‘O father: where art thou?’- Paternity assessment in an open fission-fusion society of wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Shark Bay, Western Australia

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1975-1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Krützen ◽  
Lynne M. Barré ◽  
Richard C. Connor ◽  
Janet Mann ◽  
William B. Sherwin
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Shark Bay

scholarly journals Abundance, survival and temporary emigration of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) off Useless Loop in the western gulf of Shark Bay, Western Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
pp. 1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krista Nicholson ◽  
Lars Bejder ◽  
Simon J. Allen ◽  
Michael Krützen ◽  
Kenneth H. Pollock
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Anthropogenic Activity ◽  
Apparent Survival ◽  
Photo Identification ◽  
Temporary Emigration ◽  
Shark Bay ◽  
Abundance Estimates ◽  
Capture Recapture

Capture–recapture models were used to provide estimates of abundance, apparent survival and temporary emigration of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in a 226-km2 study area off Useless Loop in the western gulf of Shark Bay, Western Australia. Photo-identification data were collected during boat-based surveys in Austral autumn to early spring (April–September) from 2007 to 2011. Abundance estimates varied from 115 (s.e. 5.2, 95% CI 105–126) individuals in 2008 to 208 (s.e. 17.3, 95% CI 177–245) individuals in 2010. The variability in abundance estimates is likely to be a reflection of how individuals used the study area, rather than fluctuations in true population size. The best fitting capture–recapture model suggested a random temporary emigration pattern and, when coupled with relatively high temporary emigration rates (0.33 (s.e. 0.07) – 0.66 (s.e. 0.05)) indicated that the study area did not cover the entire ranges of the photo-identified dolphins. Apparent survival rate is a product of true survival and permanent emigration and was estimated annually at 0.95 (s.e. 0.02). Since permanent emigration from the study area is unlikely, true survival was estimated to be close to 0.95. This study provides a robust baseline for future comparisons of dolphin demographics, which may be of importance should climate change or increasing anthropogenic activity affect this population.

scholarly journals Hybridization in bottlenose dolphins—A case study of Tursiops aduncus × T. truncatus hybrids and successful backcross hybridization events

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. e0201722 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Gridley ◽  
S. H. Elwen ◽  
G. Harris ◽  
D. M. Moore ◽  
A. R. Hoelzel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Tursiops Aduncus

Distribution and Abundance of Dugongs, Turtles, Dolphins and other Megafauna in Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Preen ◽  
H. Marsh ◽  
I. R. Lawler ◽  
R. I. T. Prince ◽  
R. Shepherd
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Large Population ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Shark Bay ◽  
Ningaloo Reef ◽  
Marine Park ◽  
Whale Sharks ◽  
Exmouth Gulf ◽  
Marine Megafauna

Strip-transect aerial surveys of Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth Gulf were conducted during the winters of 1989 and 1994. These surveys were designed primarily to estimate the abundance and distribution of dugongs, although they also allowed sea turtles and dolphins, and, to a lesser extent, whales, manta rays and whale sharks to be surveyed. Shark Bay contains a large population of dugongs that is of international significance. Estimates of approximately 10000 dugongs resulted from both surveys. The density of dugongs is the highest recorded in Australia and the Middle East, where these surveys have been conducted. Exmouth Gulf and Ningaloo Reef are also important dugong habitats, each supporting in the order of 1000 dugongs. The estimated number of turtles in Shark Bay is comparable to the number in Exmouth Gulf plus Ningaloo Reef (7000–9000). The density of turtles in Ningaloo Reef and, to a lesser extent, Exmouth Gulf is exceptionally high compared with most other areas that have been surveyed by the same technique. Shark Bay supports a substantial population of bottlenose dolphins (2000–3000 minimum estimate). Exmouth Gulf and Ningaloo Reef were not significant habitats for dolphins during the winter surveys. Substantial numbers of whales (primarily humpbacks) and manta rays occur in northern and western Shark Bay in winter. Ningaloo Reef is an important area for whale sharks and manta rays in autumn and winter. The Shark Bay Marine Park excludes much of the winter habitats of the large vertebrate fauna of Shark Bay. In 1989 and 1994, more than half of all the dugongs were seen outside the Marine Park (57·4 and 50·7%, respectively). Approximately one-third to one-half of turtles and dolphins were seen outside the Marine Park (in 1989 and 1994 respectively: turtles, 43 and 27%; dolphins, 47 and 32%). Almost all the whales and most of the manta rays were seen outside the Marine Park. Expansion of the Shark Bay Marine Park, to bring it into alignment with the marine section of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, would facilitate the appropriate management of these populations. This would also simplify the State– Commonwealth collaboration necessary to meet the obligations of World Heritage listing. The coastal waters of Western Australia north of the surveyed area (over 6000 km of coastline) are relatively poorly known and surveys of their marine megafauna are required for wise planning and management.

Feeding Flipper: a case study of a humandolphin interaction

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh Finn ◽  
Rebecca Donaldson ◽  
Michael Calver
Keyword(s):  
Food Reinforcement ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Recreational Fishing ◽  
Encounter Rates ◽  
Dolphin Population ◽  
Feeding Sources ◽  
Feeding Interactions

We document a human-dolphin interaction involving the illegal feeding of wild Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia from 1993-2003. In 1993 only one dolphin was considered conditioned to human interaction through food reinforcement. By 2001, 16% (n = 12) of the resident community of 74 adult dolphins were conditioned, and at least 14 dolphins were conditioned by 2003. Of the 13 conditioned dolphins of known sex, 11 (85%) were males. We observed conditioned dolphins initiating interactions by approaching recreational fishing boats and by residing for several hours at boat ramps and shore-based fishing sites. We only observed recreational fishers feeding dolphins, although anecdotal reports indicated additional feeding sources. We used belt transects to determine the densities of recreational boats and encounter rates for conditioned dolphins across habitats within Cockburn Sound. Encounter rates and boat densities were positively correlated, suggesting an association between recreational boat density and the ranging patterns of conditioned dolphins. This study demonstrates how illegal feeding interactions can intensify over time to affect a potentially biologically significant proportion of a local dolphin population. This emphasizes the need for early and pro-active intervention and demonstrates the value of longitudinal, individual-specific wildlife studies.

Sex Differences in Patterns of Association Among Indian Ocean Bottlenose Dolphins

Behaviour ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 123 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 38-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel A. Smolker ◽  
Andrew F. Richards ◽  
Richard C. Connor ◽  
John W. Pepper
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Reproductive State ◽  
Discrete Subgroups ◽  
Party Size ◽  
Shark Bay ◽  
Association Coefficients ◽  
Males And Females

AbstractPatterns of association among bottlenose dolphins resident in Shark Bay, Western Australia were analyzed using party membership data. Parties contained an average of 4.8 individuals, but party size and composition were unstable. While these temporary parties often contained both males and females, long term consistent associations generally were between members of the same sex. The highest association coefficients, resulting from very frequent co-occurrence within parties were between males and between mothers and offspring. Males formed subgroups of two or three individuals who consistently associated with each other, and these were stable over periods of at least seven years in some cases. Male subgroups preferentially associated with particular other male subgroups. Females associated most consistently with other females, although not to the same extent as some males. Female associations were better described as a network rather than discrete subgroups. Male-female associations were generally inconsistent and depended in part on female reproductive state. Mothers and their offspring associated very consistently for at least 4 years.

scholarly journals Elevated Calf Mortality and Long-Term Responses of Wild Bottlenose Dolphins to Extreme Climate Events: Impacts of Foraging Specialization and Provisioning

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Mann ◽  
Vivienne Foroughirad ◽  
Molly H. F. McEntee ◽  
Madison L. Miketa ◽  
Taylor C. Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Juvenile Mortality ◽  
Extreme Climate Events ◽  
Shark Bay ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
Climate Events

As demands for wildlife tourism increase, provisioning has become a popular means of providing up-close viewing to the public. At Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Australia, up to five adult female Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) visit a 100 m stretch of beach daily to receive fish handouts. In 2011, a severe marine heatwave (MHW) devastated seagrass and fish populations in Shark Bay. Offspring survival declined precipitously among seagrass specialists (dolphins that forage disproportionately in seagrass habitat). As all provisioned dolphins at the site are seagrass specialists, we examined how provisioned and non-provisioned seagrass specialists responded to the MHW. Using 27 years of data we compare habitat use, home range size, calf mortality, and predation risk between provisioned and non-provisioned females and their offspring before and after the MHW. Our results show that provisioned females have extremely small home ranges compared to non-provisioned females, a pattern attributable to their efforts to remain near the site of fish handouts. However, weaned offspring (juveniles) born to provisioned females who are not provisioned themselves also had much smaller home ranges, suggesting a persistent maternal effect on their behavior. After the MHW, adult females increased their use of seagrass habitats, but not their home range size. Provisioned females had significantly lower calf mortality than non-provisioned females, a pattern most evident pre-MHW, and, in the first 5 years after the MHW (peri-MHW, 2011–2015), calf mortality did not significantly increase for either group. However, the ecosystem did not recover, and post-MHW (2016–2020), calf mortality was substantially higher, regardless of provisioning status. With few survivors, the impact of the MHW on juvenile mortality post-weaning is not known. However, over three decades, juvenile mortality among offspring of provisioned vs. non-provisioned females did not statistically differ. Thus, the survival benefits accrued to calves in the provisioned group likely cease after weaning. Finally, although shark attack rates on seagrass specialists did not change over time, elevated predation on calves cannot be ruled out as a cause of death post-MHW. We discuss our results as they relate to anthropogenic influences on dolphin behavioral plasticity and responses to extreme climate events.

Performance Analysis of Offshore Mono-Pile Wind Turbine Co-Located With Floating Photovoltaic Systems in Shark Bay, Australia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza Bahadori ◽  
Hassan Ghassemi
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Hybrid System ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Power Production ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Farm ◽  
Offshore Wind Farms ◽  
Shark Bay

Abstract In recent years, as more offshore wind farms have been constructed, the possibility of integrating various offshore renewable technologies is increased. Using offshore wind and solar power resources as a hybrid system provides several advantages including optimized marine space utilization, reduced maintenance and operation costs, and relieving wind variability on output power. In this research, both offshore wind and solar resources are analyzed based on accurate data through a case study in Shark Bay (Australia), where bathymetric information confirms using offshore bottom-fixed wind turbine regarding the depth of water. Also, the power production of the hybrid system of co-located bottom-fixed wind turbine and floating photovoltaic are investigated with the technical characteristics of commercial mono-pile wind turbine and photovoltaic panels. Despite the offshore wind, the solar energy output has negligible variation across the case study area, therefore using the solar platform in deep water is not an efficient option. It is demonstrated that the floating solar has a power production rate nearly six times more than a typical offshore wind farm with the same occupied area. Also, output energy and surface power density of the hybrid offshore windsolar system are improved significantly compared to a standalone offshore wind farm. The benefits of offshore wind and solar synergies augment the efficiency of current offshore wind farms throughout the world.

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