| SS9.01 Ecosystem Science Practiced in an Urbanized Estuary: South San Francisco Bay |
| Knoff, A, J, University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences, Charlottesville, USA, knoff@virginia.edu |
| Macko, S, A, University of Virginia, Department of Environmental Sciences, Charlottesville, USA, sam8f@virginia.edu |
| Hohn, A, A, Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Beaufort, USA, Aleta.Hohn@noaa.gov |
| |
| BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) POPULATION STRUCTURE ALONG THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST OF THE U.S.: A STABLE ISOTOPE APPROACH |
 |
| Bottlenose dolphins along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. are designated as “depleted” under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act due to an epizootic event in 1987-88. These animals are further impacted by significant levels of fishery interactions along part of their range. Effective management requires a determination of the number of stocks along the coast. The present study investigated using stable isotope analysis of delta-13C, delta-15N, and delta-34S in skin as a potential tool to differentiate stocks. Skin samples were obtained from live-animal biopsies. There were significant differences in delta-13C, delta-15N, and delta-34S between dolphins sampled in estuaries (n=27) and on the coast (n=72) in North Carolina (P<0.001). These results are consistent with isotopic differences between phytoplankton-based marine environments and estuaries influenced by inputs of mainland C3 plant materials. This result indicates that stable isotopes can provide valuable insight into the environment (coastal marine or estuary) in which bottlenose dolphins are living and feeding. Stable isotope analysis provides another tool contributing to the delineation and understanding of bottlenose dolphin population structure to assist in development of optimal management practices. |
|
|