scholarly journals Report of the Working Group on the Biology and Ecology of Tursiops truncatus in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean

10.5597/00216 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 62-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Laporta ◽  
Pedro Fruet ◽  
Salvatore Siciliano ◽  
Paulo A. Flores ◽  
Julio D. Loureiro

We review information on the biology and ecology of common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean (SWAO) with emphasis on growth, feeding ecology, epizootics and parasites, predation and pathologies.

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 99-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilah A. Zappes ◽  
Lilian Sander Hoffmann ◽  
Sérgio Morón ◽  
Pedro Friedrich Fruet ◽  
Paula Laporta

Ethnobiological studies and educational projects related to bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus, Montagu, 1821) are still incipient in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean (SWAO). We review studies conducted in the region, especially Brazil, where more information is available. Proposals to implement studies related to ethnobiology and environmental education in relation to the species are also presented.


2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Milmann ◽  
Daniel Danilewicz ◽  
Rodrigo Machado ◽  
Roberta Aguiar dos Santos ◽  
Paulo Henrique Ott

10.5597/00223 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 144-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Laporta ◽  
Pedro Fruet ◽  
Eduardo Secchi

The common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus is often observed throughout the oceanic coast of Uruguay. Historically, its distribution was wider, including the estuary of the Río de la Plata, but currently its occurrence seems to be restricted mainly to the Uruguayan Atlantic coast (Rocha Department). Conflicting interests and tradeoffs between conservation and development are being generated in Uruguay. On one hand, the establishment of protected areas, responsible tourism and sustainable fisheries are promoted, while on the other hand, foreign exploitation of natural resources and development of mega-infrastructure in coastal zone are facilitated. In this work, we provide the first estimate of bottlenose dolphin’s abundance along the Uruguayan Atlantic coast. These results can be used as baseline information for monitoring population trends and guiding conservation actions for bottlenose dolphins in Uruguay. Mark-recapture models were applied to data of photoidentified animals with long-lasting natural marks. Total population size estimates of 63 individuals (95% CI = 54–74) and 61 (95% CI = 53–73) were obtained from closed and open population models, respectively. Although the estimates are within the range of values obtained for other coastal bottlenose dolphin populations in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean, as well as other regions of the world, it is lower than the values reported for populations inhabiting open habitats. This small population is probably vulnerable to non-natural removals, environmental and demographic stochasticity. Therefore, precautionary actions are recommended given the planned development for this coastal region.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 29-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian Lodi ◽  
Camila Domit ◽  
Paula Laporta ◽  
Juliana C. Di Tullio ◽  
Cristiane C. A. Martins ◽  
...  

The study reviews the information available on the distribution patterns of bottlenose dolphins within the SWAO (04oN-56oS, 25oW-67oW) including the northern portion of Brazil, covering the period from 1894 to 2011.


Author(s):  
ANTONELLA ARCANGELI ◽  
ROBERTO CROSTI ◽  
ILARIA CAMPANA ◽  
LARA CAROSSO ◽  
MARTINA GREGORIETTI ◽  
...  

A pilot study, using the dataset from the research network ‘FLT Med Net’, which regularly monitors transborder regions in the Mediterranean Sea using ferries as platform for systematic surveys, was undertaken to assess common bottlenose dolphin range and population trends within the Natura 2000 EU marine site “Tutela del Tursiops truncatus”. The site was recently designated by the Tuscany Region (Italy) within the requirement of the EU Habitats Directive. In order to evaluate the conservation status of bottlenose dolphin according to the surveillance scheme of the Directive, two six-year periods (2007-2012; 2013-2018) were compared to assess trends in distribution-occurrence (range); Sightings Per Unit of Effort and Density (population). In total, 18146 NM were surveyed along two fixed transects, recording 90 sightings of Tursiops truncatus and a total of 268 specimens. Between the two periods, slight but not statistically significant differences were assessed, with decreasing trend in range and population  of the species; no variation was detected in mean group sizes. Travelling was the most common behaviour, and juveniles were present in 20% of the sightings, concentrated during spring and summer. The consistent FLT Med Net dataset was found to be appropriate to evaluate important parameters for the assessment of trends in the conservation status of Tursiops truncatus at the Natura2000 site scale. 


10.5597/00229 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 199-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Silva Barreto

Defining the age of attainment of physical maturity is important for many studies, including identification of stocks, populations or species. In order to identify the age when the skull of the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, reaches maturity, skulls of fifty-three specimens found stranded along the coasts of southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina (27o35’S, 48o34’W-36o49’S, 55o19’W) were analyzed. Sixty skull measurements were taken to compare the growth rate of the different functional apparatuses. Age was estimated by counts of growth layer groups in the dentine of decalcified, stained longitudinal sections of teeth. Von Bertalanffy’s equation was applied to assess the growth and determine the age at maturity of each apparatus. Generally the maturation of skull starts at age two and stabilizes at age five, and the age of reaching the mature size varies amongst different characters. The braincase is the most precocious apparatus, while the feeding is the one that last stabilizes. The development patterns observed for the hearing, vision and breathing apparatuses were similar. Statistic analysis revealed significant differences among the ages at maturity, but not for von Bertalanffy’s growth equation parameters for each functional apparatus. For the studied population it is suggested that skulls can be considered mature in animals with more than five years. 


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 465-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik H. Nollens ◽  
Linda G. Green ◽  
Diane Duke ◽  
Michael T. Walsh ◽  
Beth Chittick ◽  
...  

Antibodies directed against species-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) have a broad range of applications in serologic and immunologic research and in the development of clinical assays. Validated anti-IgG antibodies for marine mammal species are in short supply. The objective of this study was to produce and validate antibodies with specificity for IgG of the common bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus). Bottlenose dolphin IgG was purified using protein G. Two mouse monoclonal antibodies and a rabbit polyclonal antibody were developed from mice and rabbits immunized with bottlenose dolphin IgG. The specificity of the monoclonal antibodies and the polyclonal antibody for bottlenose dolphin IgG was first verified by Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For further validation, both monoclonal antibodies and the polyclonal antibody were incorporated in an indirect ELISA for the detection of the immune response of bottlenose dolphins to a vaccine antigen. Three bottlenose dolphins were immunized with a commercial Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae vaccine, and serial blood samples were collected from all dolphins for measurement of levels of circulating antibodies. Seroconversion was observed in all 3 dolphins by use of both monoclonal antibodies and the polyclonal antibody. Circulating antibodies were detectable as early as 6 days after immunization in 1 dolphin. Peak antibody levels were detected 14 days after the immunization. The ability to detect seroconversion in all 3 immunized bottlenose dolphins firmly establishes the specificity of the monoclonal antibodies and the polyclonal antibody for IgG of the common bottlenose dolphin.


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