scholarly journals Tour boats affect the activity patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Bocas del Toro, Panama

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayshah Kassamali-Fox ◽  
Fredrik Christiansen ◽  
Laura J. May-Collado ◽  
Eric A. Ramos ◽  
Beth A. Kaplin
Keyword(s):  
Markov Chain ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Transition Probabilities ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Activity Budgets ◽  
Bocas Del Toro

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) of the Bocas del Toro archipelago are targeted by the largest boat-based cetacean watching operation in Panama. Tourism is concentrated in Dolphin Bay, home to a population of resident dolphins. Previous studies have shown that tour boats elicit short-term changes in dolphin behavior and communication; however, the relationship of these responses to the local population’s biology and ecology is unclear. Studying the effects of tour boats on dolphin activity patterns and behavior can provide information about the biological significance of these responses. Here, we investigated the effects of tour boat activity on bottlenose dolphin activity patterns in Bocas del Toro, Panama over 10 weeks in 2014. Markov chain models were used to assess the effect of tour boats on dolphin behavioral transition probabilities in both control and impact scenarios. Effect of tour boat interactions was quantified by comparing transition probabilities of control and impact chains. Data were also used to construct dolphin activity budgets. Markov chain analysis revealed that in the presence of tour boats, dolphins were less likely to stay socializing and were more likely to begin traveling, and less likely to begin foraging while traveling. Additionally, activity budgets for foraging decreased and traveling increased as an effect of tour boat presence. These behavioral responses are likely to have energetic costs for individuals which may ultimately result in population-level impacts. Boat operator compliance with Panamanian whale watching regulations is urgently needed to minimize potential long-term impacts on this small, genetically distinct population and to ensure the future viability of the local tourism industry.

scholarly journals Occurrence of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Río Negro Estuary, Argentina, and their mid-distance movements along the northeastern Patagonian coast

10.5597/00226 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 170-177
Author(s):  
Mauricio Failla ◽  
Verónica A. Seijas ◽  
Els Vermeulen
Keyword(s):  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Identification Rate ◽  
Photo Identification ◽  
Rio Negro ◽  
Patagonian Coast ◽  
Main Activity

A systematic study was carried out on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Río Negro Estuary (RNE), Patagonia, Argentina, to analyze their occurrence and activity patterns in this region. The photo-identification data of this study was further compared to data from an adjacent region to gain information on the animals' movements along the northeastern Patagonian coast. Information was gathered through land-based observations between the months of March and July of 2008 up to 2011. Data on dolphin activity patterns were collected via an ad libitum focal-group sampling mode. At the same time, dorsal fin images were obtained from as many dolphins as possible for identification and subsequent re-identification of individuals. Total effort equaled 188h, resulting in 58h of observation of 124 dolphin groups [sightings per unit effort (SPUE) = 0.66 group/h]. Most of the groups observed contained between one and five individuals, and two main activity states could be determined, namely traveling (65%) and foraging (26%). The photo-identification effort, which started opportunistically in 2006, resulted in a catalogue of 17 individual dolphins, with a total mean re-identification rate of nine days (max. = 24 days). When comparing these pictures to the existing catalogue of Bahía San Antonio (BSA; approximately 200km west from the study area) dorsal fins of 15 individuals could be matched and most (n = 12) could be subsequently re-identified in both areas, indicating their long distance movements along the northeastern Patagonian coast during the austral autumn months. This season coincides with the lowest dolphin abundance and feeding activity in BSA. This study indicates that bottlenose dolphins enter the RNE to forage at least during autumn. It further suggests that the search for food resources is the main trigger for their movement patterns along the northeastern Patagonian coast during this season, at least for certain individuals. More research is needed to accurately confirm these hypotheses.

scholarly journals Will this search end up with booking? Modeling airline booking conversion of anonymous visitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-250
Author(s):  
Misuk Lee
Keyword(s):  
Markov Chain ◽  
Transition Probabilities ◽  
Markov Chain Model ◽  
Distribution Channel ◽  
Stochastic Approach ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Chain Model ◽  
Online Search ◽  
Clickstream Data ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Over the past two decades, online booking has become a predominant distribution channel of tourism products. As online sales have become more important, understanding booking conversion behavior remains a critical topic in the tourism industry. The purpose of this study is to model airline search and booking activities of anonymous visitors. Design/methodology/approach This study proposes a stochastic approach to explicitly model dynamics of airline customers’ search, revisit and booking activities. A Markov chain model simultaneously captures transition probabilities and the timing of search, revisit and booking decisions. The suggested model is demonstrated on clickstream data from an airline booking website. Findings Empirical results show that low prices (captured as discount rates) lead to not only booking propensities but also overall stickiness to a website, increasing search and revisit probabilities. From the decision timing of search and revisit activities, the author observes customers’ learning effect on browsing time and heterogeneous intentions of website visits. Originality/value This study presents both theoretical and managerial implications of online search and booking behavior for airline and tourism marketing. The dynamic Markov chain model provides a systematic framework to predict online search, revisit and booking conversion and the time of the online activities.

Small-Scale Movement Patterns, Activity Budgets, and Association Patterns of Radio-Tagged Indian River Lagoon Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Noke Durden ◽  
Greg O’Corry-Crowe ◽  
Steve Shippee ◽  
Teresa Jablonski ◽  
Sarah Rodgers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Indian River Lagoon ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Association Patterns ◽  
Activity Budgets ◽  
Indian River

Non-targeted tourism affects the behavioural budgets of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the South Adriatic (Montenegro)

2020 ◽  
Vol 638 ◽  
pp. 165-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Clarkson ◽  
F Christiansen ◽  
T Awbery ◽  
L Abbiss ◽  
N Nikpaljevic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Transition Probabilities ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
The South ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Resting Behaviour ◽  
Order Markov Chain ◽  
Survival And Reproduction ◽  
And Control ◽  
Marine Vessels

We investigated the short-term effects of non-targeted tourism on the behaviour of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the South Adriatic off the coast of Montenegro, by comparing dolphin group behaviour during impact (the presence of non-targeted tourism vessels) and control (absence of all marine vessels) scenarios. Tourism vessel and dolphin behavioural data were collected through systematic weekly land-based surveys. Using instantaneous focal ‘group’ scan sampling, the predominant behaviour of bottlenose dolphin groups was determined. To quantify the effect of vessel interactions on the behavioural budget of the dolphins, we followed a stepwise modelling approach. A first-order Markov chain was used to calculate the transition probabilities between behavioural states before a Monte Carlo simulation estimated the behavioural budgets of dolphins during impact and control situations. In the presence of non-targeted tourism, dolphins were found to be less likely to remain diving (during which dolphins were assumed to be feeding), whilst milling-socialising and surface feeding were completely absent from their behavioural repertoires. Nevertheless, the behavioural budgets demonstrated an increase in resting behaviour in the presence of non-targeted tourism vessels. No significant changes to travelling behaviour were observed. The decrease in foraging behaviour (both surface feeding and diving) could result in a reduction in energy intake for dolphins, which over time (assuming repeated disturbance) could negatively affect body condition, and ultimately survival and reproduction. Regulations on non-targeted tourism should therefore be considered to minimise potential long-term negative effects on dolphins within Montenegrin territorial waters.

scholarly journals The importance of delineating networks by activity type in bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) in Cedar Key, Florida

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 140263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Gazda ◽  
Swami Iyer ◽  
Timothy Killingback ◽  
Richard Connor ◽  
Solange Brault
Keyword(s):  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Spatial Association ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Activity Type ◽  
Behavioural State ◽  
Activity Networks ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
The Social ◽  
Large Groups

Network analysis has proved to be a valuable tool for studying the behavioural patterns of complex social animals. Often such studies either do not distinguish between different behavioural states of the organisms or simply focus attention on a single behavioural state to the exclusion of all others. In either of these approaches it is impossible to ascertain how the behavioural patterns of individuals depend on the type of activity they are engaged in. Here we report on a network-based analysis of the behavioural associations in a population of bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) in Cedar Key, Florida. We consider three distinct behavioural states—socializing, travelling and foraging—and analyse the association networks corresponding to each activity. Moreover, in constructing the different activity networks we do not simply record a spatial association between two individuals as being either present or absent, but rather quantify the degree of any association, thus allowing us to construct weighted networks describing each activity. The results of these weighted activity networks indicate that networks can reveal detailed patterns of bottlenose dolphins at the population level; dolphins socialize in large groups with preferential associations; travel in small groups with preferential associates; and spread out to forage in very small, weakly connected groups. There is some overlap in the socialize and travel networks but little overlap between the forage and other networks. This indicates that the social bonds maintained in other activities are less important as they forage on dispersed, solitary prey. The overall network, not sorted by activity, does not accurately represent any of these patterns.

scholarly journals Seasonal, Diel, and Age Differences in Activity Budgets of a Group of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) Under Professional Care

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel T. Walker ◽  
Lance J. Miller ◽  
Stan A. Kuczaj II ◽  
Moby Solangi
Keyword(s):  
High Intensity ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Social Play ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Activity Budgets ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Professional Care ◽  
One Year

Wild bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) behavior is impacted by a number of factors including season, time of day, and age. However, less is known about how these factors may influence animals under professional care in zoos, aquariums and marine parks. Management practices such as scheduled feeding times, human interactions, lack of predators and show performances may also impact the activity budgets of dolphins. The current study examined the rest, swim and play behavior of seven dolphins (three adults, four calves) at one facility. Data were collected over the entire 24-hour day for a period of one year. Observed behaviors were recorded in mutually exclusive categories including rest, low intensity swim, high intensity swim, low intensity play, high intensity play and social play. Data were analyzed to determine how often dolphins engaged in particular behaviors and if activity budgets varied due to season, time of day and age. These dolphins spent the majority of their time in low intensity swim and low intensity play. The activity budget varied between observational periods. First, seasonal differences were found in low intensity swim, low intensity play, social play and high intensity play behaviors. In the comparison for time of day, differences were found in rest, low intensity swim, low intensity play and social play. Finally, no significant differences were found in age comparisons. Information gained from this study can help to better understand how different factors influence the behavior of bottlenose dolphins under professional care within zoos, aquariums and marine parks.

scholarly journals Foraging habits and levels of mercury in a resident population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Caribbean Sea, Panama

2019 ◽  
Vol 145 ◽  
pp. 343-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalia C. Barragán-Barrera ◽  
Andrea Luna-Acosta ◽  
Laura J. May-Collado ◽  
Carlos J. Polo-Silva ◽  
Federico G. Riet-Sapriza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Caribbean Sea ◽  
Bocas Del Toro ◽  
Resident Population
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