Photo Identification of Marine Mammals MARE 390 Dr. Turner

1. Photo Identification of Marine Mammals MARE 390 Dr. Turner

2. Photo ID Marked 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

3. Photo ID in Marine Mammals First record in marine mammals Orca from Australia – late 1800’s Whalers & Fishermen documented 27 Many early records were anomalously white animals Or severely damaged fins

4. Photo ID in Marine Mammals Studies 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

5. Photo ID in Marine Mammals Real benefit of technique are long-term studies can identify relationships: social & sexual Photogrammetry – measuring the size and spacing of animals

6. Photo ID Methods Distinctive 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

7. Photo ID Methods Longevity and Changeability of marks critical Wounds and Scars Wounds heal rather quickly Scars last for life Cookie-cutter shark bites Intra-specific agression

8. Photo ID Methods Viewing animals: From Shore non-invasive, inexpensive information on individuals limited Camera or Theodolite tracking From Airplanes Somewhat invasive & expensive

9. Photo ID Methods Viewing animals: From Boats Most practical, most invasive Other formats Underwater Cameras Video Cameras

10. Photo Analysis Negatives, prints, digital images Tracings, eye, microscope Examine shape, markings, leading/trailing edge

11. Photo Analysis Stored with similar fins/flukes in folders 1, 2, 3 notches Damaged fins Black, white, black & white flukes

12. Dorsal Ratio

13. Photo Analysis

14. Photo Analysis Beluga whale – scars on body Killer whale – dorsal fin shape Saddle pigmentation

15. Photo Analysis Pilot whale – nicks, scratches, scars, pigments on body and back Humpbacked dolphin – scars on back, flank, dorsal fin

16. Photo Analysis Atlantic white sided dolphin – scars and nicks, on dorsal fins; unusual pigment patterns Dusky dolphin – scars and nicks, on Dorsal fins; unusual pigment patterns

17. Photo Analysis Pacific white sided dolphin – scars and nicks, on dorsal fins; white individuals Bottlenose dolphin – nicks, scars and pigment spots on dorsal fin

18. Photo Analysis Risso’s dolphin – pigment patterns, nicks on dorsal fin, scars on back Spinner dolphin – scars and marks on dorsal fin

19. Photo Analysis Atlantic spotted dolphin – fin and fluke marks; body spot patterns Pan tropical spotted dolphin – fin and fluke marks; body spot patterns

20. Photo Analysis Heaviside’s dolphin – white animals, dorsal fin marks Hector’s dolphin – dorsal fin nicks

21. Photo Analysis Harbor porpoise – dorsal fin scars and nicks, and pigment areas Dall’s porpoise – dorsal fin pigmentation, color anomalies, dorsal fin deformities

22. Photo Analysis Baiji – 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

23. Photo Analysis Right whale – pattern of callosities Bowhead whale – pigment patterns

24. Photo Analysis Sperm whale – dorsal fin scars and nicks, and pigment areas Blue whale – dorsal fin scars and nicks, cookie-cutter shark scars

25. Photo Analysis Humpback whale – dorsal fin scars and nicks, cookie-cutter shark scars