Movements, Site Fidelity, and Respiration Patterns of Bottlenose Dolphins on theCentral Texas Coast

摘要

Radio-tracking of 10 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), from 9 July 1992to 13 September 1992, and photographic surveys of 35 freeze-branded dolphins, from May 1992 to June 1993, were conducted in the Matagorda Bay area of Texas, in response to a mass mortality event which occurred between Matagorda and Aransas Bays, Texas, during spring 1992. The primary goals of the study were to assess range size and site fidelity, as well as to initiate a long-term ecological study by collecting data on social and behavioral patterns. The Matagorda Bay dolphin population was found to be numerically robust, occupying all regions of the bay surveyed. Mean range size, based on radio telemetry, was 140 sq. m. (SD = 90.7, n = 10 dolphins). Males and females had similar range sizes though males visited the extremities of their ranges more frequently or for longer periods.