Submitted by William Justo Figueiro (williamjf) on 2015-06-15T23:23:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 18.pdf: 1003465 bytes, checksum: 4ec0188cddd4cd7f3d6c8b0b4e08a5b0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-15T23:23:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 18.pdf: 1003465 bytes, checksum: 4ec0188cddd4cd7f3d6c8b0b4e08a5b0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02 / Nenhuma / Espécimes depositados em coleções científicas são uma importante fonte de DNA para identificações taxonômicas e estudos de genética de populações. Isso é especialmente verdadeiro para as espécies raras, as quais têm um grande valor científico em função do seu pequeno tamanho amostral em museus. Além disso, muitas vezes, o acesso às coleções para a realização de estudos moleculares sobre estes táxons só é possível através do uso de técnicas de extração de DNA não-invasivas. Um método alternativo que evita a destruição das amostras de museus e de extração eficiente é apresentado no presente trabalho para quatro exemplares de boto-da-tainha (Tursiops truncatus) coletados ao longo da costa de Santa Catarina, Brasil, entre os anos de 1985 e 2007. Com o auxílio de uma furadeira (modelo Bosch GSR 14,4-2) com brocas de cerca de 2 mm foram feitos pequenos furos em dentes de espécimes fisicamente adultos de Tursiops truncatus da coleção do Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (LAMAQ/UFSC). Foram retirados entre 100-150 mg de pó de dentina/cemento e desmineralizados por 7 dias à 55º C com 950 µl de EDTA (0,5 M; pH 8). Este material foi incubado à 55º C overnight para que as células sofressem digestão de proteínas e RNA pela ação de 300 µl de Tampão ATL, 20 µl de Proteinase K e 1 µl de RNAse. A etapa final foi concluída pelo kit de extração Qiagen DNA Investigator (QIAGEN®). A eficiência do DNA extraído foi testada através da amplificação de um fragmento de no mínimo 362 pares de base (pb) da região controladora do DNA mitocondrial em quatro espécimes de T. truncatus. Um total de dois haplótipos com 11 sítios polimórficos foram encontrados. O alto polimorfismo observado é uma possível decorrência da grande variabilidade genética do gênero Tursiops. Em casos onde existe a hipótese de subespécies baseada em caracteres morfológicos, a identificação molecular pode ajudar a atribuir os espécimes de museus a cada ecótipo, sendo de extrema importância o uso de métodos de extração eficientes e não-invasivos, como o demonstrado aqui, para a obtenção de resultados satisfatórios e preservação dos exemplares. / Museum specimens are an important source of DNA for taxonomic identifications and population genetics studies. This is especially true for rare species, which has great scientific value due to its small sample size in museums. Moreover, often, access to collections for performing molecular studies on these taxa is only possible through the use of nondestructive DNA extraction techniques. An alternative method, which avoids the destruction of museum samples and with an efficient DNA extraction is presented here for four bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) specimens collected along the coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil, from 1985 to 2007. This is the first study in Brazil to amplify teeth DNA of T. truncatus for the mtDNA control region. Using a drill (Bosch GSR 14.4-2 model) with drill bits of about 2 mm, small holes were made in teeth of specimens of Tursiops truncatus physically adults deposited in the collection of the Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (LAMAQ/UFSC). Between 100-150 mg of powdered dentin/cementum were removed and demineralized for 7 days at 55° C with 950 µl of EDTA (0.5 M, pH 8). This material was incubated at 55° C overnight to the cells suffer digestion of proteins and RNA by the action of 300 µl of Buffer ATL, 20 µl Proteinase K and 1 µl of RNAse. The final step was completed by the extraction kit Qiagen DNA Investigator (QIAGEN®). The efficiency of the extracted DNA was tested by amplification of a fragment of at least 362 base pairs (bp) of the mitochondrial DNA control region in four specimens of T. truncatus. A total of two haplotypes were defined from 11 polymorphic sites. The high polymorphism detected is a possible consequence of the great genetic variability of the genus Tursiops. In cases where there is the subspecies hypothesis based on morphological data, molecular identification can help to assign these museum specimens to each ecotypes, being extremely important the use of efficient and nondestructive extraction methods, as showed here, to obtain satisfactory results and to conserve the specimens.

In recent years there has been an increased interest in measuring animal personality. It is argued that personality in animals is expressed through the behaviours they display. In this study personality has been investigated in a group of eight captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Data from focal samplings were analysed by using behavioural codings and the Five-factor model consisting of Openness to experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism. The results revealed that the dolphins display both distinct personality differences as well as similarities in these factors. By calculating coefficients of association it was found that the dolphins also prefer the company of certain individuals over others. Knowledge of individual personality differences and its implications can be helpful in aspects such as management and reintroduction programs, evolution and genetics and in providing a complementary perspective to explain other behavioural and cognitive studies.

Odontocetes use echolocation to detect, track, and discriminate their prey, as well as negotiate their environment. Their hearing abilities match the frequency of greatest sensitivity to the higher frequencies used for foraging and navigation. Hearing and echolocation together provide odontocetes with a highly developed biosonar system. This dissertation examines the hearing ability of several odontocete species to understand what signals they can perceive during echolocation. The variability in hearing ranges between species is examined in the context of phylogenetic and ecological differences among taxa. An autonomous hydrophone array is also developed that could be used in an expanded form in field deployments to study echolocation signals in a wider range of species. Methods for measuring hearing sensitivity include both psychophysical and electrophysiological procedures. Behavioral methods require a large time commitment, for both training and data collection, and can only be performed on captive dolphins. Auditory evoked potential (AEP) methods are non-invasive, rapid measurements of the brain's response to sound stimuli and allow for audiograms to be collected on stranded, high risk dolphins. By determining the hearing abilities of odontocetes either in captivity or during stranding, data can be collected about inter- and intraspecies variability, and the occurrence of hearing impairment. It can also be used as another diagnostic tool to determine the releasability of a stranded animal. A juvenile male short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) that stranded in Curacao had severe hearing impairment at all frequencies tested. Four female short-finned pilot whales tested had the best sensitivity at 40 kHz. The juveniles had greater high frequency sensitivity than the adult pilot whales. Cutoff frequencies were between 80 and 120 kHz. Hearing sensitivity was determined for the two mother/calf pairs of Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) before and after antibiotic treatment in order to measure any potential effects of antibiotic treatment. Greatest sensitivity occurred at 40 kHz and cutoff frequencies were around 120 kHz for all dolphins tested. Changes in hearing sensitivity after antibiotic dosage were 12 dB or less in all cases except one. The adult female Betty showed a threshold shift at 120 kHz of 54 dB from May to June, which partially demonstrates the presence of an ototoxic effect at one frequency. Dosages of antibiotics during drug treatment detailed in this study should be considered safe dosages of antibiotics for Risso's dolphins. AEP and behavioral methods were used to collect audiograms for three Stenella spp. dolphins. The frequency of best hearing for the Atlantic spotted dolphin and the spinner dolphin was 40 kHz, and their upper cutoff frequencies were above 120 kHz. The pantropical spotted dolphin had the greatest sensitivity at 10 kHz, and had severe high frequency hearing loss with a cutoff frequency between 14 and 20 kHz. Comparisons of high frequency hearing sensitivities among the species tested show two distinct groups. Short-finned pilot whales and Risso's dolphins have a cutoff frequency below 120 kHz, whereas Stenella spp. dolphins have cutoff frequencies above 120 kHz. Expanding the comparison to include other species, killer whales, pygmy killer whales, false killer whales, and long-finned pilot whales also have cutoff frequencies below 120 kHz. Common bottlenose dolphins, white-beaked dolphins, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, and common dolphins have cutoff frequencies above 120 kHz. Genetic evidence exists for two subfamilies within Delphinidae (Vilstrup et al., 2011) and those species with cutoff frequencies below 120 kHz belong to the subfamily Globicephalinae and those species with cutoff frequencies above 120 kHz belong to the subfamily Delphininae. An autonomous, field-deployable hydrophone array was developed to measure free-swimming echolocation. The array contained 25 hydrophones, two cameras, and a synchronization unit on a PVC frame. The distinct click train was used to time-align all 25 channels, and the light was used to synchronize the video and acoustic recordings. Echolocation beam patterns were calculated and preliminary evidence shows a free-swimming dolphin utilizes head movement, beam steering and beam focusing. Among all areas of cetacean biology more research is necessary to gain a clearer picture of how odontocetes have adapted to function in their acoustic environment. The array system developed can be used to study how dolphins use echolocation in the wild, the impacts of anthropogenic sound on echolocation production, and the potential consequences of high frequency hearing loss.

Les patrons de structuration des espèces animales à fine et à large échelles peuvent être façonnés par des facteurs environnementaux et des traits comportementaux individuels. Les objectifs de cette thèse combinant des approches sociales, génétiques, isotopiques et morphométriques sont de décrire et comprendre i) les structures sociale, écologique et génétique de la population de grands dauphins du golfe Normand-Breton (NB) et ii) la structure de population de l'espèce à l'échelle de l'Atlantique Nord-Est (ANE). Les grands dauphins du golfe NB forment une unique population génétique qui est composée de trois ensembles sociaux et écologiques distincts. Les associations entre individus semblent être influencées par l'écologie et non par les liens de parenté. La structure génétique du grand dauphin à l'échelle de l'ANE est hiérarchique, avec deux écotypes, l'un côtier et l'autre pélagique, qui sont chacun divisé en deux populations. Les populations côtières sont issues d'une population pélagique et auraient colonisé les habitats côtiers libérés lors de la dernière déglaciation, ce qui a permis la diversification de l'espèce. Cette structure semble maintenue par les spécialisations écologiques et le comportement social des individus. Par ailleurs, l'origine pélagique des grands dauphins du golfe NB pourrait expliquer certains de leurs traits sociaux. Pour conclure, les patrons de structuration à fine et à large échelles de ce prédateur supérieur semblent influencés par les comportements sociaux et écologiques, les conditions environnementales présentes et passées ainsi que par son histoire évolutive. L'absence de différences morphologiques marquées entre les deux écotypes pourrait s'expliquer par leur divergence relativement récente ou par un faible contraste entre les habitats pélagiques et côtiers dans l'ANE. Ce travail souligne l'intérêt de combiner de multiples approches à différentes échelles temporelles et spatiales pour comprendre la structure sociale et la structure de population d'espèces mobiles et cryptiques. Ces résultats ont également des implications majeures pour la conservation, en particulier pour la définition d'unités de gestion. / Complex interactions between environmental factors and behavioral traits may shape the fine and large scale structuring patterns of animal species. The objectives of this dissertation were to describe and understand i) the fine-scale social, ecological and genetic structures of bottlenose dolphins in the Normano-Breton (NB) gulf and ii) the population structure of the species at the scale of the North-East Atlantic (NEA) by combining social, genetic, stable isotope and morphometric approaches. Coastal bottlenose dolphins in the NB gulf form a single genetic population subdivided in three social and ecological clusters. Ecology but not kinship may influence association patterns. In the NEA, bottlenose dolphin genetic structure is hierarchical. They form two ecotypes, i.e. coastal and pelagic, each of them being further divided in two populations. This genetic structure was likely triggered by past changes in the environment (i.e. deglaciation) that created ecological opportunities for diversification. Ecological specializations and social behavior may maintain genetic divergence. In turn, the pelagic origin of bottlenose dolphins in the NB gulf may explain some of their social structure traits. Thus, an interaction between social and ecological behaviors, current and past environmental conditions, and evolutionary history may drive the fine and large scale structuring patterns of this top predator. The absence of strong differences in morphology between the two ecotypes may be explained by their relatively recent divergence or by low contrasts between the pelagic and coastal habitats in the NEA. This work highlights the power of combining approaches at different temporal and spatial scales for assessing the social and population structures of highly mobile and difficult to access species. The results have also major conservation implications especially for the designation of management units.

Bottlenose dolphins inhabiting coastlines and estuaries in Florida have been impacted in the past decade by development, algal blooms, catastrophic pollution, and fishery interactions (FI). Dolphins react to disturbance and environmental stressors by modifying their movements and habitat use, which may put them in jeopardy of conflict with humans. FI plays an increasing role in contributing to dolphin mortalities. I investigated dolphin movements, habitat use, residency patterns, and frequency of FI with sport fishing. Tagging studies with short-term data tags and bolt on radio-transmitters were done in several locations in Florida and the east coast providing fine-scale measurements of swimming, daily travels, and foraging activity. Transit speeds agreed with the predicted mean cost of transport as dolphins spent much of their day and night travelling and resting while swimming. Increased foraging was detected by stomach temperature changes revealing dolphins fed at night with a peak starting just after sunset. Dolphin abundance, site fidelity, ranging, stranding mortality, and community structure was characterized at Choctawhatchee and Pensacola Bays in the Florida Panhandle via surveying and photo-identification. Results showed they made frequent inshore movements, maintained site fidelity to specific areas, and comprised several distinct communities. FI was assessed at offshore reefs and coastal fishing piers near Destin, FL and Orange Beach, AL, showing that some dolphins demonstrate affinity to this activity. Harmful interactions with dolphins on reefs and at fishing piers negatively affect their resident communities. Mitigation of FI is suggested by use of avoidance strategies, gear modifications, and improved fish release practices.

No description available.

Recently, there has been an increase in marine mammal mortalities, most commonly Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, which is an alarming indication of the health status of the marine ecosystem. Studies have demonstrated that some free-ranging dolphins exhibit a suppressed immune system possibly because of exposure to contaminants or infectious microorganisms. However, this research has been limited due to a lack of commercially available marine-specific antibodies. Therefore, the first chapter of this thesis aims to identify cross-reactive terrestrial-specific antibodies that could be used to phenotype and compare the immune cell populations of dolphins under human care and free-ranging dolphins. The second chapter aims to utilize terrestrial-specific growth factors and dendritic cell (DC) surface markers to generate, characterize, and compare ex vivo DCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of dolphins under human care and free-ranging dolphins. In summary, I have identified differences within the PBMCs and ex vivo generated DCs of dolphins under human care and free-ranging dolphins that could potentially shed light on the impact of environmental contaminants and infectious microorganisms on immune cells which could lead to increased morbidity and mortality. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

For over a decade, researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) have conducted surveys of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) population of Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in Florida. I have constructed a 4-stage population model using the statistical program R. The model is used to conduct a viability analysis by analyzing the relationship between birth, calf and adult survival rates. The power analysis compares survey frequency to expected confidence intervals in estimating abundance. The sensitivity analysis shows that the population is most sensitive to changes in adult survival, followed by birth rate and calf survival. The model shows a strong chance of viability over a 50 year time span. The population is vulnerable to long periods of decline if birth, calf or adult survival rates fall below certain thresholds. Overall, the model simulates the future impacts of demographic change, providing a tool for conservation efforts. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) are a widely studied species in marine habitats, however, information on estuarine populations in Australia is very limited. To fully understand the importance of estuaries as habitats for dolphins there needs to be clear quantitative data on dolphin populations and their habitat use in estuaries. This study provides the first published data on Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) abundance estimates, site fidelity, individual ranging patterns, habitat use, flood impacts and sexual segregation patterns over a 3- year period in the Clarence River (CR) and Richmond River (RR) estuaries in northern New South Wales, Australia.The results indicate that, at present, the CR estuary is sustaining a larger dolphin community with a predominantly resident population compared to the RR estuary, which supports a smaller community with lower site fidelity. The CR estuary dolphin abundance estimate of 71 (62-81 95% CI, CV = 0.07) is more than twice the size of the RR estuary abundance estimate of 34 (19- 49 95% CI, CV = 0.23). Differences in site fidelity were observed between the estuaries with 60% and 37% of identified dolphins determined as residents, 26% and 21% as occasional visitors, and 14% and 42% as transients for the CR and RR, respectively. Resource partitioning was apparent in both estuaries with the mean distance resident dolphins were found upstream from the River mouth being greater than for the occasional visitors and transients.Tursiops aduncus was seen all year round in the CR and RR estuaries, with peak sightings occurring in spring at both sites. In the CR the dolphin population showed consistent seasonal fluctuations, whereas this did not occur in the RR population. In the CR the largest spatial distribution of dolphins in the estuary was observed in spring and winter, while in summer they were primarily restricted to the main estuary channel. Different behaviours that were observed; feeding, socialising, travelling, and milling and resting, were found to be influenced by season, tidal phase and tidal range. In both estuaries the core habitat areas used by the population for feeding consisted of areas with considerable slope near the edge of tidal sand banks, adjacent to deeper channels at the entrances of canals, creeks or artificial breakwalls. In addition, the core habitat areas used by the population for milling and resting behaviour in both estuaries occurred in shallow, sheltered areas, often associated with seagrass beds. Socialising occurred more frequently in the CR throughout most of the deeper waters of the estuary, whereas in the RR it was primarily restricted to a small area of medium depth in the estuary.The major determinant of T. aduncus occupancy in the two estuaries was the flood events that occurred, which resulted in the dolphins abandoning the estuary. The mean predicted probabilities for sighting dolphins during non-flood periods were 0.87 and 0.71, during a flood 0.21 and 0.04, and during a post-flood recovery period 0.83 and 0.80 in the CR and RR, respectively. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) showed that when the dolphins were absent from the estuaries, three components were extracted from the water quality parameters in the CR, and two components in the RR. High loadings from the PCA were associated with the changing salinity, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature associated with the flood events. The return of the dolphins to the estuary following a flood depended on the length and severity of the flood event, but generally the dolphins seemed to prefer waters with salinity levels above 29 ‰. This could be associated with higher salinities being important for their physiological health, or because their prey returned to the estuaries during these higher salinity conditions, more likely a combination of both of these factors.Sexual segregation patterns were observed in T. aduncus populations with mixed gender and female groups mainly recorded in the CR, whereas in the RR female groups dominated the estuary. In the CR, significant differences occurred in sightings between the mixed and female groups in relation to water depth and behaviour. Mixed gender groups were sighted predominantly in deeper water and were involved in social behaviour including sexual behaviour and male herding of females. In contrast, the female groups were observed across all water depths, predominately feeding and also participating in more milling and resting behaviours.The high occurrence of aggressive herding behaviour by males in the CR was significantly different at varying depths, tides and seasons, occurring more often in deeper water, at higher tides and in non-breeding seasons. Female groups were found to utilise the small, shallow tributaries and travel for longer distances up these smaller tributaries than the mixed groups, which were concentrated in the deeper main channel of the estuary.The deeper water of the channels may facilitate the males in herding the females, while the female groups’ habitat selection of shallow estuary areas may provide a sanctuary from aggressive males, access to suitable prey items or prey density for mothers and their calves, or a combination of these factors.This study has provided the first detailed research on T. aduncus dolphin population dynamics, habitat use, occupancy and sexual segregation patterns in two Australian subtropical estuaries. To ensure the long-term survival of both of these dolphin populations, management of future increased anthropogenic disturbances from boat traffic, pollution, dolphin watching, industrial or urban development, over-fishing and habitat degradation of the catchment is needed. Good quality water conditions, the protection of the core feeding areas and small shallow tributaries for females and their calves, and sheltered areas for resting behaviour all need to be maintained for the continued conservation of these important dolphin populations.

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and other odontocete cetaceans rely on sound for communication, navigation, and foraging. Therefore, hearing is one of their primary sensory modalities. Both natural and anthropogenic noise in the marine environment could mask the ability of free-ranging dolphins to detect sounds, and chronic noise exposure could cause permanent hearing losses. In addition, several mass strandings of odontocete cetaceans, especially beaked whales, have been correlated with military exercises involving mid-frequency sonar, highlighting unknowns regarding hearing sensitivity in these animals.Auditory evoked potential (AEP) methods are attractive over traditional behavioral methods for measuring the hearing of marine mammals because they allow rapid assessments of hearing sensitivity and can be used on untrained animals. The goals of this study were to 1.) investigate the differences among underwater AEP, in-air AEP, and underwater behavioral heari ng measurements using two captive bottlenose dolphins, 2.) investigate the hearing abilities of a population of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida, using AEP techniques, and 3.) report the hearing abilities of a stranded juvenile beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) measured using AEP techniques.For the two captive dolphins, there was generally good agreement among the hearing thresholds determined by the three test methods at frequencies above 20 kHz. At 10 and 20 kHz, in-air AEP audiograms were substantially higher (about 15 dB) than underwater behavioral and underwater AEP audiograms.For the free-ranging dolphins of Sarasota Bay, Florida, there was considerable individual variation, up to 80 dB between individuals, in hearing abilities. There was no relationship between age, gender, or PCB load and hearing sensitivities. Hearing measured in a 52-year-old captive-born bottlenose dolphin showed similar hearing thresholds to the Sarasota dolphins up to 80 kHz, but exhibited a 50 dB drop in sensitivity at 120 kHz.Finally, the beaked whale was most sensitive to high frequency signals between 40 and 80 kHz, but produced smaller evoked potentials to 5 kHz, the lowest frequency tested. The beaked whale hearing range and sensitivity were similar to other odontocetes that have been measured.