Photo Identification of Marine Mammals MARE 390 Dr. Turner
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Transcript of Photo Identification of Marine Mammals MARE 390 Dr. Turner
Photo Identification of Marine Mammals
MARE 390Dr. Turner
Photo IDMarked animals prereq. of behavioral studies in 1950’s and 60’s
Identification of wild-animals via natural marks
Useful in long-term studies
Large & long-lived vertebrates
Photo ID in Marine MammalsFirst record in marine mammals
Orca from Australia – late 1800’sWhalers & Fishermen documented 27
Many early records were anomalously white animals
Or severely damaged fins
Photo ID in Marine MammalsStudies using subtle natural markings in fins & flukes began in early 1970’s
Killer whales, Humpbacked Dolphins, Sousa,Bottlenose Dolphins, Spinner Dolphins
Humpback whales & Right whales
Photo ID in Marine MammalsReal benefit of technique are long-term studies
can identify relationships: social & sexual
Photogrammetry – measuring the size and spacing of animals
Photo ID MethodsDistinctive features – trailing edge of dorsal fin
- works well in some species – Tursiops > 50% identifiable - others (Spinner, Dusky, Pilot, Porpoises) < 20%
Longevity and Changeability of marks critical
Photo ID MethodsLongevity and Changeability of marks critical
Wounds and ScarsWounds heal rather quicklyScars last for life
Cookie-cutter shark bitesIntra-specific agression
Photo ID MethodsViewing animals:
From Shorenon-invasive, inexpensiveinformation on individuals limitedCamera or Theodolite tracking
From AirplanesSomewhat invasive & expensive
Photo ID MethodsViewing animals:
From BoatsMost practical, most invasive
Other formatsUnderwater CamerasVideo Cameras
Photo AnalysisNegatives, prints, digital imagesTracings, eye, microscopeExamine shape, markings, leading/trailing edge
Photo AnalysisStored with similar fins/flukes in folders
1, 2, 3 notchesDamaged finsBlack, white, black & white flukes
Dorsal Ratio
Photo Analysis
Photo AnalysisBeluga whale – scars on body
Killer whale – dorsal fin shapeSaddle pigmentation
Photo AnalysisPilot whale – nicks, scratches, scars, pigments on body and back
Humpbacked dolphin – scars on back, flank, dorsal fin
Photo AnalysisAtlantic white sideddolphin – scars and nicks,on dorsal fins; unusualpigment patterns
Dusky dolphin –scars and nicks, onDorsal fins; unusualpigment patterns
Photo AnalysisPacific white sided dolphin – scars and nicks,on dorsal fins; white individuals
Bottlenose dolphin – nicks, scars and pigment spots on dorsal fin
Photo AnalysisRisso’s dolphin – pigmentpatterns, nicks on dorsalfin, scars on back
Spinner dolphin – scars and marks on dorsal fin
Photo AnalysisAtlantic spotted dolphin– fin and fluke marks;body spot patterns
Pan tropical spotted dolphin – fin and flukemarks; body spot patterns
Photo AnalysisHeaviside’s dolphin – white animals, dorsalfin marks
Hector’s dolphin – dorsal fin nicks
Photo AnalysisHarbor porpoise – dorsal fin scars andnicks, and pigment areas
Dall’s porpoise – dorsal fin pigmentation, color anomalies, dorsal fin deformities
Photo AnalysisBaiji – dorsal fin scars and nicks, and pigment areas
Blainsville’s beaked whale – dorsal fin notches, white oval scars from cookie-cutter sharks, linear scars from intraspecific interactions
Photo AnalysisRight whale – pattern of callosities
Bowhead whale – pigment patterns
Photo AnalysisSperm whale – dorsal fin scars and nicks, and pigment areas
Blue whale – dorsal fin scars and nicks, cookie-cutter shark scars
Photo AnalysisHumpback whale – dorsal fin scars and nicks, cookie-cutter shark scars