This document examines the potential effects of Hurricane Katrina on Atlantic bottlenose dolphin reproduction in the Mississippi Sound. It finds that approximately two years after the hurricane, calf encounter rates and the percentage of calves observed significantly increased. This suggests reproduction increased. The increase is likely due to a combination of factors from the hurricane, including increased fish abundance from decreased fishing, fewer boats disturbing dolphins, and more reproductively active females after the storm led to calf losses.
This study investigated the effects of olfactory enrichment on the behavior of captive California sea lions. Researchers introduced natural and non-natural scents and recorded the sea lions' behavior before and after. They found that scent enrichment significantly increased habitat usage, reducing repetitive swimming behaviors. Both natural and non-natural scents had this effect, with sea lions spending more time out of the water and less time swimming in repetitive patterns. This suggests that olfactory enrichment can improve welfare for captive sea lions by encouraging more natural behaviors.
This study tested whether bottlenose dolphins could integrate information about human movements received through echolocation with their previous visual experiences of the same movements. Three dolphins were trained to respond to specific human movements they could see above water. They were then tested underwater and unable to see, to determine if they could identify movements based on echolocation alone. The dolphins quickly learned to correctly respond to underwater movements they could not see visually, demonstrating an ability to relate visual and echolocation representations of actions.
This document summarizes a study that investigated the relationship between plasma iron concentration and gastric pH in captive bottlenose dolphins. The study found:
1) There was a strong negative correlation (r = -0.85) between plasma iron concentration and gastric pH in the dolphins, suggesting dolphins with lower gastric pH had higher plasma iron concentration.
2) Gastric pH and plasma iron concentration did not differ significantly over time within individual dolphins or among dolphin pools.
3) Hemosiderosis, an excessive iron storage condition, has been diagnosed in some captive dolphin populations, and gastric pH may play an important role in iron absorption in dolphins.
This study examined painted turtle spatial ecology at three ponds in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. Trapping data from 220 turtles showed that 28 (12.73%) migrated between ponds, with most movements occurring in summer and between Kingfisher Pond and other ponds. Radio tracking of 5 turtles in Mallard Pond found they remained there and favored deeper areas. Simulated nests showed 17% predation within a week at 50m from ponds, with predators including dogs, coyotes, and deer.
This document describes two methods for classifying frog calls using machine learning techniques: locality sensitive hashing (LSH) and Gaussian mixture modeling (GMM). For GMM classification, features are extracted from spectrograms of frog calls including filter responses and MFCC coefficients. Gaussian models are trained for each frog species using these features. Classification involves determining the most likely species model for a test call. Tests on 15 frog species showed promising 80% accuracy for GMM, approximating human performance. LSH classification was less accurate, suggesting noise and call variations limit its effectiveness.
Schmucker_WritingSample_American Glass Eels Respond to Conspecific Odor as a ...Andrew Schmucker
This study evaluated the behavioral responses of American glass eels to different concentrations of conspecific odor washings. The study found that glass eels were attracted to washings over a wide range of concentrations and preferred higher concentrations when given a choice. Attraction remained consistent for several weeks but decreased for the darkest stage glass eels transitioning to elvers. The results support the hypothesis that glass eels use conspecific chemical cues to coordinate inland migration.
This study examined predator distribution, habitat use, and diet in a California wilderness area by collecting and analyzing bobcat, mountain lion, bear, coyote, and fox scat. The researchers found 230 scat samples across 5 habitat types and identified predator distributions and prey richness varied between habitats and predator species. Statistical analysis showed predator scat distribution and prey richness in scats differed significantly between habitat types and predator species. Camera traps provided additional evidence that predator activity patterns varied temporally, indicating niche differentiation between species. The study provided insight into trophic interactions and informed conservation recommendations.
This proposal seeks funding to study encounter rates between predators and prey in various environments. The study will experimentally measure encounter rates between northern pike and roach fish in controlled pools with varying prey densities, enclosures in a pond with varying densities, and 15 natural lakes. Understanding encounter rates could provide insights into population dynamics models and help predict species responses to climate change. The $10,968.26 budget will fund underwater cameras, fish and supplies for the experiments, lake surveys, and vehicle rental.
This study investigated the effects of olfactory enrichment on the behavior of captive California sea lions. Researchers introduced natural and non-natural scents and recorded the sea lions' behavior before and after. They found that scent enrichment significantly increased habitat usage, reducing repetitive swimming behaviors. Both natural and non-natural scents had this effect, with sea lions spending more time out of the water and less time swimming in repetitive patterns. This suggests that olfactory enrichment can improve welfare for captive sea lions by encouraging more natural behaviors.
This study tested whether bottlenose dolphins could integrate information about human movements received through echolocation with their previous visual experiences of the same movements. Three dolphins were trained to respond to specific human movements they could see above water. They were then tested underwater and unable to see, to determine if they could identify movements based on echolocation alone. The dolphins quickly learned to correctly respond to underwater movements they could not see visually, demonstrating an ability to relate visual and echolocation representations of actions.
This document summarizes a study that investigated the relationship between plasma iron concentration and gastric pH in captive bottlenose dolphins. The study found:
1) There was a strong negative correlation (r = -0.85) between plasma iron concentration and gastric pH in the dolphins, suggesting dolphins with lower gastric pH had higher plasma iron concentration.
2) Gastric pH and plasma iron concentration did not differ significantly over time within individual dolphins or among dolphin pools.
3) Hemosiderosis, an excessive iron storage condition, has been diagnosed in some captive dolphin populations, and gastric pH may play an important role in iron absorption in dolphins.
This study examined painted turtle spatial ecology at three ponds in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. Trapping data from 220 turtles showed that 28 (12.73%) migrated between ponds, with most movements occurring in summer and between Kingfisher Pond and other ponds. Radio tracking of 5 turtles in Mallard Pond found they remained there and favored deeper areas. Simulated nests showed 17% predation within a week at 50m from ponds, with predators including dogs, coyotes, and deer.
This document describes two methods for classifying frog calls using machine learning techniques: locality sensitive hashing (LSH) and Gaussian mixture modeling (GMM). For GMM classification, features are extracted from spectrograms of frog calls including filter responses and MFCC coefficients. Gaussian models are trained for each frog species using these features. Classification involves determining the most likely species model for a test call. Tests on 15 frog species showed promising 80% accuracy for GMM, approximating human performance. LSH classification was less accurate, suggesting noise and call variations limit its effectiveness.
Schmucker_WritingSample_American Glass Eels Respond to Conspecific Odor as a ...Andrew Schmucker
This study evaluated the behavioral responses of American glass eels to different concentrations of conspecific odor washings. The study found that glass eels were attracted to washings over a wide range of concentrations and preferred higher concentrations when given a choice. Attraction remained consistent for several weeks but decreased for the darkest stage glass eels transitioning to elvers. The results support the hypothesis that glass eels use conspecific chemical cues to coordinate inland migration.
This study examined predator distribution, habitat use, and diet in a California wilderness area by collecting and analyzing bobcat, mountain lion, bear, coyote, and fox scat. The researchers found 230 scat samples across 5 habitat types and identified predator distributions and prey richness varied between habitats and predator species. Statistical analysis showed predator scat distribution and prey richness in scats differed significantly between habitat types and predator species. Camera traps provided additional evidence that predator activity patterns varied temporally, indicating niche differentiation between species. The study provided insight into trophic interactions and informed conservation recommendations.
This proposal seeks funding to study encounter rates between predators and prey in various environments. The study will experimentally measure encounter rates between northern pike and roach fish in controlled pools with varying prey densities, enclosures in a pond with varying densities, and 15 natural lakes. Understanding encounter rates could provide insights into population dynamics models and help predict species responses to climate change. The $10,968.26 budget will fund underwater cameras, fish and supplies for the experiments, lake surveys, and vehicle rental.
The document proposes using conspecific pheromones to manage Asian carp populations in the Spoon River near Havana, Illinois. Pheromones would be released at two locations along the river to attract carp into a trapping area. Specifically, pheromones would be released at the river mouth and again upstream to guide carp into a trap between the two release points. The approach could cost less than existing methods and has been effective for controlling other invasive fish species using pheromones. Potential impacts like effects on native species would need further study before implementing this approach.
24752-D, RSG Grantee Stephanie J. Rousso Conference Poster, Western Society N...StephanieRousso1
Citizen science data from the Sea Turtle Spotter project on iNaturalist.org is being analyzed to understand sea turtle spatial distributions. The project collects sightings from observers to map locations and identify species. An honors thesis found over 300 observers submitted 800 turtle sightings between 1996-2017, mostly of green and hawksbill turtles near the U.S. and Mexico Pacific coast. Researchers download and analyze the data in ArcGIS to identify areas of research interest and map turtle habitat use.
This document summarizes a study on the age, growth, mortality and exploitation of Liza falcipinnis fish in Ebrié and Grand-Lahou lagoons in Ivory Coast. Population parameters were estimated using length frequency data analyzed with FiSAT software. Asymptotic length was 39.9cm for Ebrié lagoon and 42cm for Grand-Lahou lagoon. Total mortality was estimated at 1.28 years-1 for Ebrié lagoon and 1.43 years-1 for Grand-Lahou lagoon. Exploitation levels were estimated to be 0.36 for Ebrié lagoon and 0.37 for
Small differences in collection site, only 15 meters apart, resulted in large differences in the palatability of macroalgal species to herbivorous fish. An experiment found that consumption of Sargassum mangarevense collected from the intertidal reef was nearly six times greater than conspecifics collected from the adjacent subtidal reef. Similarly, intraspecific palatability of Padina boryana appeared to vary between collection sites, though the difference was not statistically significant. This demonstrates that algal palatability can vary substantially over very small spatial scales, and researchers should carefully consider collection locations when setting up herbivory experiments.
This study compared shark count data collected by professional dive guides on coral reefs in Palau to acoustic telemetry data from tagged sharks at the same sites over five years. There was a strong correlation between grey reef sharks observed by dive guides and those detected by telemetry, both daily and monthly. The behavior and depth of sharks was not affected by the presence of divers. Environmental factors like current strength and temperature influenced relative shark abundance. The study validated the use of dive guide counts for long-term monitoring of shark populations.
This article examines how non-vocal white-bellied copper-striped skinks respond to playbacks of predator vocalizations, heterospecific alarm calls, and non-alarm social vocalizations. The skinks reduced looking and increased bloating in response to alarm calls from red-vented bulbuls, but did not significantly respond to social calls from bulbuls or vocalizations from potential predators. This suggests that as non-vocal lizards, skinks likely rely on heterospecific alarm calls for information about predator presence and location.
This study compared tooth rake marks on bottlenose dolphins in two Northeast Florida populations: St. Johns River (SJR), which has high commercial and recreational vessel traffic, and St. Augustine (SA), which has mainly recreational vessel traffic. Photographs of 110 dolphins from the two sites during March-April were analyzed. Both the type and coverage of rake marks across body sections were quantified. Although the proportion of dolphins with rake marks did not differ between sites, faint rake marks were most common in SA while obvious rake marks were most prominent in SJR, suggesting aggression may be more frequent among SJR dolphins. Rake mark coverage across and within body sections was similar between
This article examines the acoustic ecology and niche relationships of an anuran assemblage in temporary ponds in the Caatinga region of northeastern Brazil. The study analyzed calling activity patterns in relation to rainfall, spatial distribution of calling sites, acoustic parameter overlap, and levels of interaction among the 12 co-occurring anuran species. Results showed that calling activity was correlated with rainfall, and species exhibited spatial dispersion in calling sites. There were high levels of overlap in calling microhabitats and acoustic parameters, especially between closely related species. Analysis of null models indicated a lack of structure in the spatial and acoustic niche, suggesting a lack of competition. Temporal partitioning through activity correlated with rainfall appears to allow coexistence among the species. Strong
Nicholas Lee Smith has extensive experience in research and laboratory work involving the population genetics of fish and other animal species. He has conducted research projects on pupfish, reef fish, smallmouth bass, the Rio Grande silvery minnow, and the mitochondrial genome of the Julimes pupfish. Smith has worked as a research geneticist studying the population structure of marine and freshwater fish. He also has experience as a laboratory technician working with stable isotopes to study animal diets. Smith has received recognition and funding for his research through awards and scholarships.
This document discusses several methods for estimating population abundance and size, including density, abundance, biomass, capture-recapture sampling, removal sampling, transect sampling, and regression method. Capture-recapture sampling involves marking a subset of individuals from a population, releasing them, recapturing them later, and using the ratio of marked to unmarked individuals to estimate total population size. Removal sampling works by successively trapping individuals and assuming catch size will decrease as population size decreases. Transect sampling involves recording distances of observed individuals from an established line to yield density estimates.
Emily Shultz-Optimized Seperation of Estuarin Plankton to Determine Associati...Emily Shultz, M.S.
1. The study developed and optimized a method for separating estuarine plankton using a freshwater plankton separator to quantify associations between Vibrio species and different plankton.
2. Results showed the optimal separation time with the least cross-contamination between phytoplankton and zooplankton was between 30-40 minutes.
3. Determining the relationships between plankton species and Vibrio populations could help predict disease outbreaks from contaminated shellfish and inform monitoring of coastal waters.
This thesis examines the summer space use patterns of Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) in Washington and British Columbia waters. It consists of three chapters. The first chapter evaluates the accuracy of using whalewatch sightings data to study SRKW distribution by conducting an independent field study. It finds the data to be sufficiently accurate with some limitations. The second chapter uses the validated data to model SRKW core space use at weekly, monthly, and seasonal scales, finding their distribution to be dynamic across temporal scales. The third chapter analyzes differences in space use between the J, K, and L pods, finding some shared areas but also specialization, with implications for pod-specific conservation needs.
This document summarizes a study examining how selection structures species abundance distributions in an estuarine fish community. The study analyzed 30 years of monthly fish sampling data from the Bristol Channel in the UK. The key findings were:
1) Biomass was concentrated in larger bodied species in guilds occupying habitats with structure (hard-benthic and soft-benthic), which provide protection from predators. However, biomass was not concentrated in larger bodied species in open habitat guilds (pelagic and proximo-benthic) where safety in numbers is important.
2) Guilds differed in the degree to which species associate in groups, with strongly schooling species most common in pel
One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Crab, Pompano- An Analysis of Marine and Estuarine S...Cody Gramlin
This document analyzes marine and estuarine species sampled along South Carolina's Atlantic coast. Samples were collected from three locations at Hunting Island State Park using fyke and seine nets between August 8-14, 2016. A variety of fish and crab species were identified. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was calculated for each net deployment to analyze sampling effectiveness. The six most commonly caught species were identified for each sample location.
This study examined three species of aquatic freshwater turtles in Costa Rica for haemogregarine infections. All turtles sampled were positive for intraerythrocytic haemogregarines, representing the first report of these parasites in turtles from Central America. Black river turtles had a significantly higher average parasitemia (0.34%) than white-lipped mud turtles (0.05%). Parasites in the single scorpion mud turtle examined were smaller and did not displace the host cell nucleus like those in the other two species. This is the first report of haemogregarines in the white-lipped mud turtle, scorpion mud turtle, and any Rhinoclemm
Tomlinson et al (2016) - sediment & biotaMSTomlinson
This document describes a study that used multivariate statistics to identify sources of analytes in sediments and biota from a shallow-water military munitions disposal site off the coast of O'ahu, Hawaii. 141 sediment samples and 286 biota samples from 4 types of organisms were collected from 4 potential analyte sources and analyzed for elements and explosives. Non-detect values were included as interval-censored data in the analysis rather than being substituted. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling revealed distinct clusters of analytes from discarded military munitions and terrestrial sources. The analyses supported the identification of analyte sources in sediments and showed clustering of biota samples by organism type.
Lan Nguyen Poster for Science Seminar revisedLan Nguyen
- The study examined the relationship between morphology and niche partitioning of fish assemblages in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve in Cambodia. 27 fish species were sampled and 31 morphological features were measured.
- Principal component and cluster analysis revealed relationships between morphological characteristics and habitat/trophic groups, indicating niche partitioning allows coexistence of competing species.
- The high biodiversity of fish in the Tonle Sap is due to seasonal flooding patterns that provide different habitats and allow fish to occupy different ecological niches. Understanding these relationships can help manage fisheries in this important ecosystem.
This study examined relationships between land use, stream chemistry, and fish diversity in six headwater streams in the Little Miami River watershed. Fish and water chemistry samples were collected from each site. A total of 25 fish species were identified across sites. Stream chemistry was generally stable. Fish diversity, as measured by Simpson's Diversity Index, was positively correlated with the percentage of developed land use in the watershed and negatively correlated with the percentage of agricultural land use, though the latter was not statistically significant. Sites with more developed land use in their watersheds had greater fish diversity.
Brent Porter presented on using FME Server and custom applications to create a spatial viewer for Water Utility District data. The previous manual process of editing, extracting, and sharing this spatial data was replaced with centralized versioned geodatabase and self-service extraction services. Spatial and non-spatial data were integrated through loose coupling. The number of requests to the water utility program has decreased since deploying the new FME Server solution in 2009 which extracts and transforms the spatial data.
The document describes the creation of a mock music magazine called RAWR that aims to target mid-teenagers and people in their early 20s interested in rock music. The magazine takes conventions from existing rock magazines like Kerrang and NME in its design of the front cover, double page spread, and contents pages. It represents its target audience through the informal language used and images of bands dressed in a style its readers can relate to. A suitable media institution to distribute the magazine would be one that can help broaden its target audience like IPC Media, while addressing readers through information on upcoming gigs and informal casual language.
The document proposes using conspecific pheromones to manage Asian carp populations in the Spoon River near Havana, Illinois. Pheromones would be released at two locations along the river to attract carp into a trapping area. Specifically, pheromones would be released at the river mouth and again upstream to guide carp into a trap between the two release points. The approach could cost less than existing methods and has been effective for controlling other invasive fish species using pheromones. Potential impacts like effects on native species would need further study before implementing this approach.
24752-D, RSG Grantee Stephanie J. Rousso Conference Poster, Western Society N...StephanieRousso1
Citizen science data from the Sea Turtle Spotter project on iNaturalist.org is being analyzed to understand sea turtle spatial distributions. The project collects sightings from observers to map locations and identify species. An honors thesis found over 300 observers submitted 800 turtle sightings between 1996-2017, mostly of green and hawksbill turtles near the U.S. and Mexico Pacific coast. Researchers download and analyze the data in ArcGIS to identify areas of research interest and map turtle habitat use.
This document summarizes a study on the age, growth, mortality and exploitation of Liza falcipinnis fish in Ebrié and Grand-Lahou lagoons in Ivory Coast. Population parameters were estimated using length frequency data analyzed with FiSAT software. Asymptotic length was 39.9cm for Ebrié lagoon and 42cm for Grand-Lahou lagoon. Total mortality was estimated at 1.28 years-1 for Ebrié lagoon and 1.43 years-1 for Grand-Lahou lagoon. Exploitation levels were estimated to be 0.36 for Ebrié lagoon and 0.37 for
Small differences in collection site, only 15 meters apart, resulted in large differences in the palatability of macroalgal species to herbivorous fish. An experiment found that consumption of Sargassum mangarevense collected from the intertidal reef was nearly six times greater than conspecifics collected from the adjacent subtidal reef. Similarly, intraspecific palatability of Padina boryana appeared to vary between collection sites, though the difference was not statistically significant. This demonstrates that algal palatability can vary substantially over very small spatial scales, and researchers should carefully consider collection locations when setting up herbivory experiments.
This study compared shark count data collected by professional dive guides on coral reefs in Palau to acoustic telemetry data from tagged sharks at the same sites over five years. There was a strong correlation between grey reef sharks observed by dive guides and those detected by telemetry, both daily and monthly. The behavior and depth of sharks was not affected by the presence of divers. Environmental factors like current strength and temperature influenced relative shark abundance. The study validated the use of dive guide counts for long-term monitoring of shark populations.
This article examines how non-vocal white-bellied copper-striped skinks respond to playbacks of predator vocalizations, heterospecific alarm calls, and non-alarm social vocalizations. The skinks reduced looking and increased bloating in response to alarm calls from red-vented bulbuls, but did not significantly respond to social calls from bulbuls or vocalizations from potential predators. This suggests that as non-vocal lizards, skinks likely rely on heterospecific alarm calls for information about predator presence and location.
This study compared tooth rake marks on bottlenose dolphins in two Northeast Florida populations: St. Johns River (SJR), which has high commercial and recreational vessel traffic, and St. Augustine (SA), which has mainly recreational vessel traffic. Photographs of 110 dolphins from the two sites during March-April were analyzed. Both the type and coverage of rake marks across body sections were quantified. Although the proportion of dolphins with rake marks did not differ between sites, faint rake marks were most common in SA while obvious rake marks were most prominent in SJR, suggesting aggression may be more frequent among SJR dolphins. Rake mark coverage across and within body sections was similar between
This article examines the acoustic ecology and niche relationships of an anuran assemblage in temporary ponds in the Caatinga region of northeastern Brazil. The study analyzed calling activity patterns in relation to rainfall, spatial distribution of calling sites, acoustic parameter overlap, and levels of interaction among the 12 co-occurring anuran species. Results showed that calling activity was correlated with rainfall, and species exhibited spatial dispersion in calling sites. There were high levels of overlap in calling microhabitats and acoustic parameters, especially between closely related species. Analysis of null models indicated a lack of structure in the spatial and acoustic niche, suggesting a lack of competition. Temporal partitioning through activity correlated with rainfall appears to allow coexistence among the species. Strong
Nicholas Lee Smith has extensive experience in research and laboratory work involving the population genetics of fish and other animal species. He has conducted research projects on pupfish, reef fish, smallmouth bass, the Rio Grande silvery minnow, and the mitochondrial genome of the Julimes pupfish. Smith has worked as a research geneticist studying the population structure of marine and freshwater fish. He also has experience as a laboratory technician working with stable isotopes to study animal diets. Smith has received recognition and funding for his research through awards and scholarships.
This document discusses several methods for estimating population abundance and size, including density, abundance, biomass, capture-recapture sampling, removal sampling, transect sampling, and regression method. Capture-recapture sampling involves marking a subset of individuals from a population, releasing them, recapturing them later, and using the ratio of marked to unmarked individuals to estimate total population size. Removal sampling works by successively trapping individuals and assuming catch size will decrease as population size decreases. Transect sampling involves recording distances of observed individuals from an established line to yield density estimates.
Emily Shultz-Optimized Seperation of Estuarin Plankton to Determine Associati...Emily Shultz, M.S.
1. The study developed and optimized a method for separating estuarine plankton using a freshwater plankton separator to quantify associations between Vibrio species and different plankton.
2. Results showed the optimal separation time with the least cross-contamination between phytoplankton and zooplankton was between 30-40 minutes.
3. Determining the relationships between plankton species and Vibrio populations could help predict disease outbreaks from contaminated shellfish and inform monitoring of coastal waters.
This thesis examines the summer space use patterns of Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) in Washington and British Columbia waters. It consists of three chapters. The first chapter evaluates the accuracy of using whalewatch sightings data to study SRKW distribution by conducting an independent field study. It finds the data to be sufficiently accurate with some limitations. The second chapter uses the validated data to model SRKW core space use at weekly, monthly, and seasonal scales, finding their distribution to be dynamic across temporal scales. The third chapter analyzes differences in space use between the J, K, and L pods, finding some shared areas but also specialization, with implications for pod-specific conservation needs.
This document summarizes a study examining how selection structures species abundance distributions in an estuarine fish community. The study analyzed 30 years of monthly fish sampling data from the Bristol Channel in the UK. The key findings were:
1) Biomass was concentrated in larger bodied species in guilds occupying habitats with structure (hard-benthic and soft-benthic), which provide protection from predators. However, biomass was not concentrated in larger bodied species in open habitat guilds (pelagic and proximo-benthic) where safety in numbers is important.
2) Guilds differed in the degree to which species associate in groups, with strongly schooling species most common in pel
One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Crab, Pompano- An Analysis of Marine and Estuarine S...Cody Gramlin
This document analyzes marine and estuarine species sampled along South Carolina's Atlantic coast. Samples were collected from three locations at Hunting Island State Park using fyke and seine nets between August 8-14, 2016. A variety of fish and crab species were identified. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was calculated for each net deployment to analyze sampling effectiveness. The six most commonly caught species were identified for each sample location.
This study examined three species of aquatic freshwater turtles in Costa Rica for haemogregarine infections. All turtles sampled were positive for intraerythrocytic haemogregarines, representing the first report of these parasites in turtles from Central America. Black river turtles had a significantly higher average parasitemia (0.34%) than white-lipped mud turtles (0.05%). Parasites in the single scorpion mud turtle examined were smaller and did not displace the host cell nucleus like those in the other two species. This is the first report of haemogregarines in the white-lipped mud turtle, scorpion mud turtle, and any Rhinoclemm
Tomlinson et al (2016) - sediment & biotaMSTomlinson
This document describes a study that used multivariate statistics to identify sources of analytes in sediments and biota from a shallow-water military munitions disposal site off the coast of O'ahu, Hawaii. 141 sediment samples and 286 biota samples from 4 types of organisms were collected from 4 potential analyte sources and analyzed for elements and explosives. Non-detect values were included as interval-censored data in the analysis rather than being substituted. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling revealed distinct clusters of analytes from discarded military munitions and terrestrial sources. The analyses supported the identification of analyte sources in sediments and showed clustering of biota samples by organism type.
Lan Nguyen Poster for Science Seminar revisedLan Nguyen
- The study examined the relationship between morphology and niche partitioning of fish assemblages in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve in Cambodia. 27 fish species were sampled and 31 morphological features were measured.
- Principal component and cluster analysis revealed relationships between morphological characteristics and habitat/trophic groups, indicating niche partitioning allows coexistence of competing species.
- The high biodiversity of fish in the Tonle Sap is due to seasonal flooding patterns that provide different habitats and allow fish to occupy different ecological niches. Understanding these relationships can help manage fisheries in this important ecosystem.
This study examined relationships between land use, stream chemistry, and fish diversity in six headwater streams in the Little Miami River watershed. Fish and water chemistry samples were collected from each site. A total of 25 fish species were identified across sites. Stream chemistry was generally stable. Fish diversity, as measured by Simpson's Diversity Index, was positively correlated with the percentage of developed land use in the watershed and negatively correlated with the percentage of agricultural land use, though the latter was not statistically significant. Sites with more developed land use in their watersheds had greater fish diversity.
Brent Porter presented on using FME Server and custom applications to create a spatial viewer for Water Utility District data. The previous manual process of editing, extracting, and sharing this spatial data was replaced with centralized versioned geodatabase and self-service extraction services. Spatial and non-spatial data were integrated through loose coupling. The number of requests to the water utility program has decreased since deploying the new FME Server solution in 2009 which extracts and transforms the spatial data.
The document describes the creation of a mock music magazine called RAWR that aims to target mid-teenagers and people in their early 20s interested in rock music. The magazine takes conventions from existing rock magazines like Kerrang and NME in its design of the front cover, double page spread, and contents pages. It represents its target audience through the informal language used and images of bands dressed in a style its readers can relate to. A suitable media institution to distribute the magazine would be one that can help broaden its target audience like IPC Media, while addressing readers through information on upcoming gigs and informal casual language.
Gee-Jay Basallo Rivera is applying for a Planning Engineer position. He has over 6 years of experience as a Planning Engineer for EEI Corporation and Freyssinet Saudi Arabia. His responsibilities include project scheduling, resource management, cost estimation, and progress reporting. He is proficient with Primavera Project Planner and other construction management software. Rivera holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and is a licensed Civil Engineer in the Philippines.
Processing Of Social And Monetary Rewards In The Human StriatumAnna Jo
1) The study examined how the brain processes social and monetary rewards by conducting experiments where participants received positive or negative feedback about their reputation or monetary rewards.
2) The results found that both social and monetary rewards activated the striatum, a brain area involved in processing rewards. However, social rewards more strongly activated regions involved in mentalizing like the mPFC.
3) The findings suggest that a good reputation functions as a primary reward that is processed similarly to monetary rewards in the striatum, and gaining a positive reputation may motivate prosocial behaviors even without monetary incentives.
A roadmap to developing a best in class health websiteRichard Meyer
There is no path to building and launching a great health website. It requires a process that is well thought out and a solution that meets both consumer and business needs.
This document summarizes a study on the rockfish resources of the south central California coast. Researchers from California Polytechnic State University placed observers on party boats from 2003-2005 to record catch data by species, including catch per unit effort and mean size. They supplemented this with historical catch data from 1980-1998 from the California Department of Fish and Game and Pacific Gas & Electric. The study aims to analyze population trends over the past 25 years for various rockfish species in the region and compare sizes over time. Preliminary results found fluctuating catch rates but no consistent declining trends, except for bocaccio rockfish. Mean sizes were generally above maturity levels.
This document summarizes a study that estimated the seasonal abundance and distribution of cetaceans off the coast of Southern California using data from 16 quarterly ship-based surveys between 2004-2008. The surveys covered an area of 238,494 km2 from nearshore waters to 700 km offshore. Abundance estimates were determined for the 11 most commonly encountered species based on 693 encounters, and were calculated separately for summer-fall and winter-spring periods as well as for shallow (<2000.5 m) and deep (≥2000.5 m) waters. Density estimates showed seasonal variations by depth for some species, with the highest densities generally occurring in summer-fall in shallow waters for species like blue whales and common dolphins.
This document summarizes a study that examined the reproductive biology of barred sand bass off the coast of southern California from June to September 2011. Researchers collected fish and removed and analyzed their gonads histologically to determine spawning characteristics. They found that females spawned for approximately three months during this period. Spawning fraction, interval, and frequency varied monthly, with July having the shortest interval of 1.74 days and highest frequency. This study provides improved estimates of barred sand bass reproductive timing and parameters over the entire spawning season.
This document summarizes a coastal bird stewardship program in Alabama that monitored and protected beach-nesting birds like least terns and snowy plovers. Volunteers surveyed four sites and installed protective fencing around key nesting areas. They observed 110 least tern pairs but high coyote predation led to a 61% nest failure rate. Snowy plover monitoring saw 3 pairs fledge 1 chick each. Abundance surveys found 42 bird species and human disturbance was the primary threat. Outreach engaged over 500 people to increase awareness of conservation efforts for these declining coastal species. Multi-agency collaboration was effective but program expansion is still needed.
Population structure, fecundity and morphological characteristics of M. vollenhovenii were studied around Lower Volta River, Ghana subject to dirt of information on this prawn species around the study location. The most prominent morphological characteristics already documented for identification of this species was rostrum bearing 13-15 continuous teeth dorsally and 4-5 teeth on its ventral part. These morphological traits formed the principal components for identification in this study. Results showed that morphological traits on second pereiopods such as presence of spines, spinules, teeth borne within the fingers, and dense projections of setae-like features on telson and uropod were observed relevant for identification purposes. Other results revealed that maximum total length recorded in this study (150-155mm) was higher than total length ranges (≤125mm) documented for this species in earlier studies. Consequently, two adult’s classes of prawns were identified (old adult class 81-120mm; and young adults 31-80mm) and older class was observed to be more in catches than the younger prawns. Absolute fecundity revealed that oocytes estimation varied with respect to seasons, ages of prawns and body sizes of specimens examined. In conclusion, this study observed that M. vollenhovenii fishery is operating in a sustainable manner at the time of this study around the study location.
1) The study assessed the ecosystem services of the Southern Llano River in Texas by examining fish, invertebrate, and habitat characteristics.
2) A variety of sampling methods found 17 fish species present, with blacktail shiner and Guadalupe bass being most abundant. Invertebrate sampling identified several orders including mayflies and dragonflies.
3) Habitat measurements showed riparian vegetation ranging from 30-100% cover and suitable water quality parameters.
Ndour et al., 2013. Reproduction of Mugil cephalusIsmaila Ndour
1) The study examined the reproductive parameters of the yellow mullet (Mugil cephalus) on the Northern Coast of Senegal between 2010-2012. 2) It found that the gonadosomatic index and sexual maturity stages peaked in December and January, indicating spawning likely begins in December and is complete by June. 3) The size at first sexual maturity was estimated to be 39 cm for males and 42 cm for females.
This document provides a final report on estimating the abundance of blue whales off the US West Coast using photo identification from 2004-2006. 481 unique blue whales were identified from coastal surveys during this period. Additionally, 38 whales were identified from broad-scale ship surveys and 7 from fine-scale surveys. Mark-recapture analysis estimated the blue whale population at 2,842, higher than previous estimates, though with high uncertainty. Abundance estimates using different methods tended to increase over time, though fluctuated substantially.
This status review was conducted in response to a petition to list the humphead wrasse under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
Authors: Krista S. Graham, Christofer H. Boggs, Edward E. DeMartini, Robert E. Schroeder, and Michael Trianni
This document provides a literature review of 29 articles that studied green sea turtle diving behavior using electronic devices. It discusses the history of sea turtle behavior studies, comparing the use of satellite loggers and time-depth recorders to collect dive data. The definitions of behaviors like foraging and resting are examined. Additional factors discussed include study locations, sample sizes, and ecological influences on dive behavior. The review considers how these various methodological factors must be accounted for when analyzing dive behavior studies.
1) Bottlenose dolphins in Bull Creek, South Carolina employ a foraging behavior called strand-feeding, where they herd fish onto exposed mud banks to feed on. The study examined the relationship between strand-feeding group size and individual feeding success.
2) Strand-feeding groups ranged from 1-7 dolphins, averaging 2.7 dolphins. Groups feeding on menhaden averaged 3.4 dolphins, while those on mullet averaged 2.7 dolphins.
3) Analysis found that strand-feeding groups of 3-4 dolphins captured significantly more fish per dolphin than groups of 2 dolphins. The time a group spent strand-feeding was also correlated with the number of
This document summarizes a study on the reproductive biology of male pipefish (Trachyramphus bicoarctatus) in Lake Qarun, Egypt. The study found that the sex ratio was male to female of 1:1.37, significantly different than the expected 1:1 ratio. Males reached sexual maturity at a length of 7.9cm. Mature males and those brooding eggs were found from December to April. Male fecundity ranged from 42 to 111 eggs and was correlated to fish length. The reproductive period extended from December to April, peaking in February.
1. This document describes a study that developed a protocol using underwater videography to quantify trout populations. Video recordings were taken and analyzed from multiple cameras suspended in pools in Pauma Creek, part of the San Luis Rey River system in Southern California. This provided more accurate population data than other survey methods and was less detrimental to the imperiled fish populations.
2. The goal was to establish a lightweight camera system that could be easily deployed in remote areas to survey trout populations in less than an hour, as an alternative to electrofishing, netting, or snorkel surveys which can stress or harm the fish. The study focused on quantifying the native trout population in Pauma Creek, which historically contained coastal steelhead
This thesis examines aspects of bowfin and northern sunfish biology and ecology. For bowfin, the author ages a population from New York and finds they grow slower than more southern populations, making them more vulnerable to commercial harvesting. An attempt at captive breeding and testing artificial diets was unsuccessful. For northern sunfish, the author finds the single remaining wild population in New York is threatened due to invasive species increases. Several hybrid sunfish were discovered, suggesting the habitat can no longer support pure northern sunfish. Future stocking should focus on areas with suitable habitat and low invasive species abundance.
Alexander_Brown_PhD_Thesis_Murdoch_University_February_2016Alex Brown
This thesis examines the conservation biology of three tropical inshore dolphin species - Australian snubfin, Australian humpback, and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins - in northwestern Australian waters. The author provides quantitative data on the abundance, site fidelity, population genetic structure, and social structure of these species at five study sites. The abundance of each species varied significantly across sites, with most estimates below 60 individuals per site. Several local populations showed evidence of site fidelity. Genetic analyses revealed significant differentiation between populations separated by over 200 km, suggesting a metapopulation structure. The author also documented sex differences in social structure within one snubfin population and geographic variation in dorsal fin features of humpback dolphins
This document summarizes research on the reproduction and embryonic development of the blue stingray (Dasyatis chrysonota) in southern African waters. Key findings include:
1) Males reach first maturity at a disc width of 392 mm and females at 500 mm. 50% maturity occurs at 395 mm for males and 505 mm for females.
2) Males have an annual reproductive cycle in the spring while females cycle annually with a peak in summer/autumn and give birth in late spring after a 9 month gestation period.
3) Females average 2.8 embryos per birth, ranging from 1-7 embryos. Six embryonic development stages are described.
4) Like other stingrays, D
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The thesis examined the spawning, larval recruitment, and early life survival of Pacific lampreys in the South Fork Coquille River in Oregon over two years. In Chapter 2, the author monitored adult spawning populations at large and small scales and found correlations between adult and redd counts. Average spawning time was less than a week for males and females. In Chapter 3, the author monitored larval recruitment from intra-annual cohorts of spawning adults and found variable recruitment correlated with spawning stock size and discharge. Larval survival declined with increasing spawning stock size and decreasing discharge, related to negative density-dependent effects. The study provided justification for a multi-life stage approach to monitoring Pacific lamprey populations.
This document analyzes beaked whale strandings around Australia compared to other cetaceans. It finds that 90% of beaked whale strandings involve a single animal, while the maximum for other species was much higher, up to 250. Beaked whale strandings were more common in southern Australia and January to April, following sea temperature cycles. The trends are similar worldwide. The document aims to understand spatial and temporal patterns of beaked whale strandings to inform decisions about potential impacts from human activities like naval sonar.
NOAA scientists Jeffrey Polovina and Phoebe Woodworth-Jefcoats paper, "Fisher-Induced Changes in the Subtropical Pacific Pelagic Ecosystem Size Structure: Observations and Theory," was published in April 2013.
This study examined the retention rates of Pacific lamprey carcasses in Toppenish Creek, Washington over 24 days. 25 lamprey carcasses were released every 2 meters along a 50 meter stretch and their movement was monitored. Carcasses placed near the banks remained in place more initially but were detected less later, possibly due to predation. Carcasses that stayed in deeper pool areas with fine sediment were detected more frequently. Male carcasses and those from sexually mature lamprey or females with fewer eggs were detected more often than others. The study provides insight into how fish physiology and habitat influence nutrient recycling from lamprey carcasses.
Similar to Potential_effects_of_a_major_hurricane_o (20)
1. MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, 26(3): 707–715 (July 2010)
C 2010 by the Society for Marine Mammalogy
DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00371.x
Potential effects of a major hurricane on Atlantic bottlenose dolphin
(Tursiops truncatus) reproduction in the Mississippi Sound
LANCE J. MILLER
Department of Psychology,
University of Southern Mississippi,
118 College Drive #5025, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, U.S.A.
and
San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research,
15600 San Pasqual Valley Road,
Escondido, California 92027, U.S.A.
E-mail: lmiller@sandiegozoo.org
ANGELA D. MACKEY
Department of Psychology,
University of Southern Mississippi,
118 College Drive #5025, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, U.S.A.
TIM HOFFLAND
MOBY SOLANGI
Institute for Marine Mammal Studies,
P. O. Box 207, Gulfport, Mississippi 39502, U.S.A.
STAN A. KUCZAJ II
Department of Psychology,
University of Southern Mississippi,
118 College Drive #5025, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, U.S.A.
The effects of natural disasters on wildlife populations are poorly understood.
This is due to the difficulty in predicting the timing, intensity and location of such
rare events. Because of this, when natural disasters occur in locations with long-
term monitoring of wildlife populations, it is important to examine and document
these events to gain a better understanding of how they affect wildlife. In August
2005 Hurricane Katrina devastated many coastal communities throughout Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Alabama.
In the state of Mississippi alone, it was reported that 87% of commercial fishing
vessels were damaged or destroyed (Posadas 2006). The observed loss in fishing vessels
coincided with a decrease in commercial fishery landings at the Gulfport-Biloxi
Harbors from 16.3 million pounds (7.4 million kg) in 2004 to 8.5 and 9.6 million
pounds (3.9 and 4.4 million kg) in 2005 and 2006, respectively.1
Additionally, there
was a 41% decrease in hook and line commercial fishing licenses between 2005 and
2006 and a 50% decrease in finfish net fishing licenses between those same years
1
Commercial fishery landings for Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi. Available at http://www.st.nmfs.
noaa.gov/st1/commercial/landings/lport_hist.html.
707
2. 708 MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, VOL. 26, NO. 3, 2010
(National Marine Fisheries Service 2007). Residential saltwater fishing licenses also
saw a decrease during this time period with a 40% decrease from 2005 to 2006
(National Marine Fisheries Service 2007). This reduction in recreational saltwater
fishing licenses mirrored the number of recreational boat trips and fish landings.
On average, it was reported that between 2000 and 2005 there were 1,110,101
private recreational fishing trips per year, which decreased to 766,254 trips in 2006
(National Marine Fisheries Service 2007). Fish landings from private recreational
fishing averaged 2,689,201 lbs/yr (1,219,801 kg/yr) between 2000 and 2005 and
decreased to 1,568,986 lbs (711,680 kg) in 2006 (National Marine Fisheries Service
2007). With the decrease in commercial and recreational vessel traffic, and a potential
increase in fish abundance as a result of the decrease in fishing activity, it was possible
that these effects could in turn affect reproductive rates for bottlenose dolphins
within the Mississippi Sound.
In addition to changes in human disturbance, loss of calves as a result of the
storm could increase the number of reproductively active adult females the following
breeding season. Female bottlenose dolphins become fertile within two months to one
year following the loss of a calf (Mann et al. 2000). Thus, any adult females that lost
calves during Hurricane Katrina should have been fertile during the next breeding
season. If a significant number of calves perished during the storm, the percentage
of reproductively active females within the population should have increased for the
next breeding season.
The purpose of the current report is to document the possible effect of increased
reproduction for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Data
were utilized from ongoing opportunistic surveys conducted in the Mississippi Sound
near Cat and Ship islands (see Fig. 1) as well as stranding data for Atlantic bottlenose
dolphins provided by the Southeast Region Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
The time frame examined was from December 2004 through November 2007.
All research was conducted from either a 7 m vessel with a 225 hp Ram injection
outboard motor, a 10 m vessel powered by a 135 hp outboard motor, or an inflatable
catamaran with twin 150 hp motors. Surveys originated from Gulfport, Mississippi,
and research effort alternated between the two islands. After surveying an entire
island for dolphins, any additional time was spent at the other island. All surveys
began at approximately 08:30 and continued until approximately 14:00. During the
study period there were a total of 598 encounters with groups of Atlantic bottlenose
dolphins. Table 1 provides a summary of the research efforts over the 3 yr period.
Encounters with dolphin groups lasted an average of 26 min with a range of
15–105 min. A group was defined as two or more dolphins within 100 m of one
another exhibiting similar behavior (Wells et al. 1987, Shane 1990). Individual fins
were photographed using a Canon EOS 10D digital camera with a Canon EF 100–
400 mm f/4.5–5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lens for photo-identification purposes.
Photographers were instructed to take as many pictures of all individuals within
an encounter as possible. Environmental, acoustic, and behavioral data were also
collected, but were not analyzed for this paper.
Photographs from all encounters were initially scanned for the presence of any
Atlantic bottlenose dolphin that could have been a calf. Images of the same
3. NOTES 709
Figure 1. Map of the study area in the Mississippi Sound.
individuals based on dorsal fins from the adult females presumed to be the mother
were removed from further analysis. These images were then rated by three inde-
pendent observers to determine the likelihood, on a scale of 1–10 (10 being most
likely), that the individual or individuals within each photograph were a calf less
than 1 yr of age. Raters were instructed to use the definition of any animal less then
approximately half the length of an adult or 1.5 m (Constantine 2001, Bearzi 2005)
Table 1. Summary of survey effort during the study period.
Distance Duration Number Number
Year Season (km) (hh:mm) of groups of photos
2005 Winter 602.91 39:37 25 610
Spring 923.63 56:56 43 1,130
Summer 492.34 39:22 28 2,474
Fall 384.43 25:50 24 950
2006 Winter 853.93 39:09 32 567
Spring 446.47 30:33 38 1,268
Summer 644.73 47:44 55 4,014
Fall 475.77 34:20 33 1,554
2007 Winter 639.70 35:24 37 836
Spring 516.29 34:09 37 1,099
Summer 477.98 27:41 33 2,538
Fall 542.85 33:47 36 2,376
4. 710 MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, VOL. 26, NO. 3, 2010
to help with consistency in rating. The scores of all three raters were then compared
and any individual dolphin with a median score of ≥7 was selected as a calf less than
1 yr of age. Using the median ensured that at least two of the three observers had a
score of ≥7. Of the images selected all three of the observers had a score >7 on 48%
of the images. There were no significant differences between years for percentage of
photographs all three observers scored 7 or higher (2
= 1.73, df = 2, P = 0.42).
The total number of calves per encounter was tallied and rates were calculated
based on number of calves per kilometer traveled by the research vessel. Additionally,
rates were calculated for the number of calves per group of dolphins encountered
and percentage of calves vs. noncalves. The number of noncalves was calculated by
removing duplicate photos of each individual from each encounter and totaling the
number of noncalves present. Data were divided into the following seasons based on
sea surface temperature: winter (December–February), spring (March–May), summer
(June–August), and fall (September–November). This allowed for visual inspection
of calf encounter rates between the years. Each year of consecutive data started in
December and went through the following November (e.g. December 2004 through
November 2005). A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used
to examine significant differences between years based on the monthly rates of
calves per kilometer surveyed, calves per groups of dolphins, and survey effort.
Measures for survey effort included distance surveyed, trip duration, number of
groups encountered, and number of photographs. A Tukey’s post hoc test for individual
comparisons was used to follow up all significant results. Chi-square analysis was
used to look for significant differences between calf and noncalf by year. Follow-up
analyses included examining the percent deviations from expected frequencies and
creating standardized residuals to examine significant differences between the years.
Alpha level was set at 0.05 for all statistical tests.
In addition to the data collected as described above, stranding data for Atlantic bot-
tlenose dolphins were provided by the Southeast Region Marine Mammal Stranding
Network. The stranding data included all live and dead strandings within Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Information provided for each stranding included
the date, location, body length of the dolphin and initial condition of the animal
(alive, fresh dead, moderate decomposition, advanced decomposition, or skeletal).
Data were only used for dolphins that were juveniles or younger (dolphins <228 cm)
to examine the same time periods as for calf encounter rates. All coastal counties
within Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana and the counties of Texas closest to
Louisiana (Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, and Chamers) were used in the analysis. The
length of 228 cm was determined based on previous studies examining the length
of each age class (Read et al. 1993, Fernandez and Hohn 1998, Mattson et al. 2006)
and animals of this size were most likely still socially/physically dependent on their
mother. A one-sample t-test was used to analyze calf stranding rates during the fall
of 2005.
A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in
survey effort across the years (distance surveyed, F2,22 = 0.150, P = 0.862; trip
duration, F2,22 = 0.482, P = 0.624; number of groups encountered, F2,22 = 0.678,
P = 0.518; number of photographs, F2,22 = 0.519, P = 0.602). Examining the calf
5. NOTES 711
Table 2. Tukey’s follow-up statistics on calf encounter rates.
Mean
Variable Year (i) Year ( j) difference (i − j) SE
Calves/kilometer 2005 2006 0.001 0.002
2007 −0.011∗
0.004
2006 2007 −0.012∗
0.005
Calves/groups 2005 2006 0.026 0.027
2007 −0.179∗
0.059
2006 2007 −0.205∗
0.070
∗
P < 0.05.
encounter rates, there was a significant increase in 2007 (Table 2) for both calves per
km surveyed (F2,18 = 6.076, P < 0.05) and calves per number of groups encountered
(F2,18 = 8.162, P < 0.01). Additionally, chi-square analysis revealed a significant
difference between years in percentage of calves to noncalves (2
= 36.11, df = 3,
P < 0.01). Follow-up analysis revealed a significantly higher percentage of calves in
2007 (z = 4.7, P < 0.01). Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the calf encounter rates and
percentage of calves to noncalves in relation to Hurricane Katrina. A one-sample t-
test examining stranding rates revealed significantly more live strandings of dolphins
less than 228 cm during the fall of 2005 (t10 = −22.892, P < 0.01). Additionally,
the proportion of calves stranded to calves encountered per kilometer during the
spring of 2007 was 0.02 compared to 0.11 in 2006 and 0.14 in 2005. Figure 4
illustrates calf standings by season in relation to Hurricane Katrina.
These results show a significant increase in calf encounter rates and percentage of
calves to noncalves approximately 2 yr following Hurricane Katrina, which suggests
that the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins within the Mississippi Sound experienced an
increase in reproduction during this time. While there are many possible reasons for
this increase, it could result from the combination of an increase in fish abundance,
Figure 2. Encounter rates of Atlantic bottlenose dolphin calves per km traveled by the
research vessel and number of groups.
6. 712 MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, VOL. 26, NO. 3, 2010
Figure 3. Percentage of Atlantic bottlenose dolphin calves to noncalves during the study
period.
a decrease in recreational/commercial boats, and an increase in number of reproduc-
tively active females following the storm. In the following discussion, we highlight
the potential impacts of each of these factors.
Commercial fisheries landings and recreational fisheries landings decreased by 48%
and 42%, respectively between 2005 and 2006 for Gulfport and Biloxi harbors.1
This
decrease in recreational and commercial fishing, similar to the effects of creating a
marine reserve, could have resulted in increased prey availability for dolphins within
the area. Although data are lacking on the preferred food items of dolphins within
the Mississippi Sound, 62% of the species of fish found in the stomach contents of
bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay (Barros and Wells 1998) are also found within
the Mississippi Sound (Benson 1982). Additionally, of the prey species found within
the study area, 75% are used or target species for commercial fishing and 63% for
recreational or sport fishing (Benson 1982). Decreasing the impact on such prey
Figure 4. Total and live stranding rates of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins with a straight
length of ≤266 cm in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and northeast Texas.
7. NOTES 713
species could increase abundance in a short time frame as has been demonstrated by
the creation of marine sanctuaries or marine reserves. Halpern and Warner (2002)
reported an increase in fish populations within 1–3 yr following the establishment
of marine reserves. Increased prey availability decreases nutritional stress on females
during lactation (Mann et al. 2000), which may lead to increased reproductive success.
A comparison of the proportion of stranded individuals to calves encountered from
2007 to the two previous years revealed a decrease in proportion of animals stranding.
There was also a significant increase in percentage of calves to noncalves 2 yr following
the storm. This suggests that the calves born 2 yr following the storm were surviving
at higher rates which could potentially be attributed to increased prey availability.
In the presence of boats, short-term changes in behavior have been observed for
Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Increases in group synchrony (Hastie et al. 2003),
group cohesion (Ribeiro et al. 2005), and dive duration (Lusseau 2003) all suggest
that dolphins actively avoid boat interactions. Additionally, Miller et al. (2008) found
a decrease in time spent foraging immediately following the presence of a high-speed
personal watercraft. Published reports for this area of the Gulf of Mexico indicate
that between 2000 and 2005 there was an average of 1,110,101 private recreational
fishing trips per year, which decreased to 766,254 trips in 2006 (National Marine
Fisheries Service 2007). While no data are available, it is likely that recreational
nonfishing boaters were also lower in number as a result of the storm. With a
reduction in overall boat presence, dolphins would be able to spend more time
foraging instead of traveling or diving to avoid boats. Combined with potentially
more plentiful resources, an increase in opportunities to forage without expending
energy avoiding boat interactions could also decrease nutritional stress on females
with offspring leading to higher rates of reproduction.
Research on bottlenose dolphin reproduction has shown that when an adult female
loses her calf, she can be reproductively active the following breeding season (Mann
et al. 2000). If a large number of calves perished as a result of Hurricane Katrina,
this would allow for a greater percentage of females in the population to become
reproductively active the following year. An examination of the stranding data
around the time of the hurricane compared to the same seasons in other years
revealed a slight increase in total numbers of juvenile or younger strandings, as well
as live strandings of these same age classes throughout the Gulf States affected by
Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, there was a decrease in the percentage of calves to
noncalves immediately following the storm. Due to the impact of the storm on local
communities, it is likely these estimates of calves affected by the storm were low and
the true number of calves lost was much greater. An increase in reproductively active
females due to loss of calves could be an important factor leading to the increase in
observed calves 2 yr after Hurricane Katrina.
Although the exact reason or reasons for the observed increase in calf encounter
rates is unknown, it is possible the increase could have resulted from the com-
bination of an increased number of reproductively active females and a reduction
in anthropogenic factors leading to a decrease in disturbance and an increase in
prey availability. Alternatively, it is possible that the hurricane changed the habitat
in a significant manner within the Mississippi Sound which caused the observed
8. 714 MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, VOL. 26, NO. 3, 2010
increase in calf sightings around the islands. Unfortunately with the current data
set, we were unable to track individual reproductive success for females within the
Mississippi Sound which would have provided greater evidence for the possibility of
increased reproductive success. Future research with long-term data sets and smaller
populations of dolphins, where tracking individual female’s reproductive success
is possible, might add greater insight into this complex situation. Examining the
effects of human activities on the reproductive success of bottlenose dolphins by
examining yearly boat densities, amount of fish caught or harvested, and calf survival
rates could provide these answers. This could also provide greater insight on the
long-term effects of fishing and boat interactions on Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank students, interns, and volunteers at the Marine Mammal Behavior
and Cognition Lab at the University of Southern Mississippi and personnel at the Institute
for Marine Mammal Studies for their assistance in data collection. We would also like to
thank the Southeast US Marine Mammal Stranding Network for providing additional data
for this project. This project was supported in part by the Dolphin Communication Fund
at the University of Southern Mississippi and by grants awarded to Stan Kuczaj from the
Department of Commerce and the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies. All research efforts
were conducted under permit #1041-1701 through the National Marine Fisheries Service.
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9. NOTES 715
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Received: 17 March 2009
Accepted: 23 November 2009