Title
A review of the status of the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in Argentina: working paper
Author(s)
Vermeulen, Els ;Bastida, Ricardo ;Berninsone, Leonardo G. ;Bordino, Pablo ;Failla, Mauricio ;Fruet, Pedro;Harris, Guillermo ;Iñíguez, Miguel;Marchesi, María ;Petracci, Pablo ;Reyes, Laura ;Sironi, Mariano;Bräger, Stefan
Published
2016
Abstract
This paper reviews all available information on the distribution, movement patterns, abundance and population structure of the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus in Argentina. Data point out the dramatic decrease in sightings of the species in this country, most likely related to a serious population decline in their southernmost range of the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. Available data indicate the presence of perhaps two remaining populations, of approximately 90-133 and <40 individuals respectively. Furthermore, preliminary genetic data indicate a low genetic diversity and suggest the presence of two genetically isolated populations, information to be taken into account for conservation purposes in the absence of more substantial data. Overall, the reduction of the species along the Argentine coast has remained largely unstudied, resulting in a lack of consistent data to assess the population status, as well as possible factors affecting its conservation. In this review, suggestions are made on the possible effect of a reduced reproductive outcome on the population dynamics. It is strongly recommended that data collection efforts on the species in the country are drastically increased as soon as possible in order to assess this hypothesis, and formulate management strategies.
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PUB19102