Site-fidelity and movement patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in central Argentina : essential information for effective conservation

摘要

1. The effectiveness of conservation measures such as marine protected areas (MPAs)for the conservation of cetaceans is determined by how well their home range orcritical habitat is covered. The present study seeks to provide information on thesite-fidelity and movement patterns of individual bottlenose dolphins (Tursiopstruncatus) in central Argentina.2. Between 2007 and 2013, photo-identification data of bottlenose dolphins werecollected in four study sites some 90–200 km apart from each other along the centralArgentinean coast.3. Results show long-term site-fidelity (over 5 years) in one of the study areas. Resightingrates further suggest the existence of different sub-populations ofbottlenose dolphins, but also confirm some connectivity (with movements over 200–290 km) and thus potential for gene flow within the region.4. Considering the population declines of bottlenose dolphins in Argentina, informationon site-fidelity and movement patterns will be of value to improve the effectivenessof existing MPAs for the conservation of the species as well as prioritizing areas forincreased research.