The following article has become available online: Striped dolphins and short-beaked common dolphins in the Gulf of Corinth, Greece: abundance estimates from dorsal fin photographs
Giovanni BEARZI, Silvia BONIZZONI, Stefano AGAZZI, Joan GONZALVO, Rohan J.C. CURREY Marine Mammal Science (2011) doi: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00448.x ABSTRACT Capture-recapture methods relying on dorsal fin natural markings have never been applied successfully to striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba, and were rarely used to assess abundance of short-beaked common dolphins, Delphinus delphis. We used digital photo-identification to obtain abundance estimates of striped and common dolphins living in mixed groups in the Gulf of Corinth, Greece. The proportion of either species was calculated based on the relative number of photographs of adult animals showing relevant portions of their body during conspicuous surfacings. Striped dolphins and common dolphins averaged 95.0% and 3.2% of all individuals, respectively. Animals showing intermediate pigmentation accounted for another 1.8%. Striped dolphin numbers were relatively high, with a point estimate of 835 animals (95% CI = 6311,106). Common dolphins numbers were low (point estimate 28 animals; 95% CI = 1173) and individuals were scattered within striped dolphin groups, indicating that this common dolphin population may be nonviable. Within a semiclosed Gulf exposed to considerable anthropogenic impact, the future of both dolphin species is of concern due to their suspected geographic isolation and restricted extent of occurrence. Information provided here can be used to inform timely conservation efforts. --- A pdf copy can be obtained from the journal's web site (subscribers only): http://tinyurl.com/4hmzyvb <http://tinyurl.com/4hmzyvb> or from me: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Giovanni Bearzi http://www.coastaldolphins.org/giovanni_bearzi.htm <http://www.coastaldolphins.org/giovanni_bearzi.htm>
_______________________________________________ MARMAM mailing list [email protected] https://lists.uvic.ca/mailman/listinfo/marmam
