Help MARMAM community
On Behalf of my co-authors, I am happy to share our new open access publication:
The Bridle Mark System on Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus):
Pigmented Facial Features Supplement Photo-Identification.
Published in Animals, 16(12), 1857.
Research on free-ranging animal species, which extend from the breadth of stock
identification and population dynamics to fine-scaled analysis of behavior,
depends on identifying individuals. Recognizing wild bottlenose dolphins
(Tursiops truncatus) primarily depends on photographs of distinct patterns of
notches which eventually develop on the trailing edge of most dorsal fins.
Although photo-identification has advanced to include computer-aided
fin-identification software, there can still be error related to dolphins whose
identifying patterns are subtle, obscured, or absent (‘clean fins’). Facial
pigment patterns on dolphin species were described as bridle marks over a
hundred years ago. The purpose of this descriptive study was to evaluate bridle
mark presence, distinctiveness, and permanence as a supplement to dorsal fin
photo-identification. A 17-year population census of 860 bottlenose dolphins in
Palm Beach Florida, USA includes 458 dolphins with photographic records showing
bridle marks. A subset of 30 dolphins, based on an encounter history spanning
at least 7 years, was coded using a 17-point system. Results confirmed
bottlenose dolphin bridle mark distinctiveness and permanence on all 30
dolphins. Conclusions are that bridle marks can supplement photo-identification
as a double-mark system to improve accuracy. This tool is helpful for
recognizing calves with clean dorsal fins post weaning and adults with
changeable dorsal fin markings.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/16/12/1857
Feel Free to reach out if you have comments or questions -
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Cheers,
Barbara J. Brunnick Ph.D.
Research Director Palm Beach Dolphin Project
Taras Oceanographic Foundation
4311 North Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
561-762-5770
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