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Published byCraig Etherton Modified over 10 years ago
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Photo Identification of Marine Mammals MARE 390 Dr. Turner
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Photo ID Methods Viewing animals: From Shore non-invasive, inexpensive
information on individuals limited Camera or Theodolite tracking From Airplanes Somewhat invasive & expensive
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Photo ID Methods Viewing animals: From Boats
Most practical, most invasive Other formats Underwater Cameras Video Cameras
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Photo Analysis Negatives, prints, digital images
Tracings, eye, microscope Examine shape, markings, leading/trailing edge
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Photo Analysis Stored with similar fins/flukes in folders
1, 2, 3 notches Damaged fins Black, white, black & white flukes
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Dorsal Ratio
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Photo Analysis
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Photo Analysis Beluga whale – scars on body Killer whale –
dorsal fin shape Saddle pigmentation
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Photo Analysis Pilot whale – nicks, scratches, scars, pigments on body
and back Humpbacked dolphin – scars on back, flank, dorsal fin
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Photo Analysis Atlantic white sided dolphin – scars and nicks,
on dorsal fins; unusual pigment patterns Dusky dolphin – scars and nicks, on Dorsal fins; unusual
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Photo Analysis Pacific white sided dolphin – scars and nicks,
on dorsal fins; white individuals Bottlenose dolphin – nicks, scars and pigment spots on dorsal fin
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Photo Analysis Risso’s dolphin – pigment patterns, nicks on dorsal
fin, scars on back Spinner dolphin – scars and marks on dorsal fin
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Photo Analysis Atlantic spotted dolphin – fin and fluke marks;
body spot patterns Pan tropical spotted dolphin – fin and fluke marks; body spot patterns
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Photo Analysis Heaviside’s dolphin – white animals, dorsal fin marks
Hector’s dolphin – dorsal fin nicks
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Photo Analysis Harbor porpoise – dorsal fin scars and
nicks, and pigment areas Dall’s porpoise – dorsal fin pigmentation, color anomalies, dorsal fin deformities
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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
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Photo Analysis Right whale – pattern of callosities
Bowhead whale – pigment patterns
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Photo Analysis Sperm whale – dorsal fin scars and nicks, and pigment areas Blue whale – dorsal fin scars and nicks, cookie-cutter shark scars
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Photo Analysis Humpback whale – dorsal fin scars and nicks, cookie-cutter shark scars
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