Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://repositorio.inpa.gov.br/handle/1/18788
Title: Does radio tagging affect the survival or reproduction of small cetaceans? A test
Authors: Martin, Anthony Richard
Silva, Vera Maria Ferreira da
Rothery, Peter R.
Keywords: Biotelemetry
Cetacean
Ecological Impact
Reproduction
Survival
Tagging
Amazon River
South America
Cetacea
Inia Geoffrensis
Issue Date: 2006
metadata.dc.publisher.journal: Marine Mammal Science
metadata.dc.relation.ispartof: Volume 22, Número 1, Pags. 17-24
Abstract: A long-term study of botos (inia geoffrensis) in the Brazilian Amazon permitted the comparison of survival and reproduction between 51 adults fitted with radio transmitters and an equal number that were captured and handled in the same way but released without a transmitter. For both sexes combined, 47 radio tagged botos (92.2%) survived at least three years after release compared with 42 (82.4%) without radios, equating to annual survival of 97.3% and 93.6% respectively. The difference was not statistically significant. Eight of 15 closely monitored radio tagged females were lactating at capture, and all their calves weaned successfully. Two that were pregnant at capture subsequently gave birth. The mean number of calves per year born to these 15 females after first release was 0.172 (SD = 0.107) and to 17 non-tagged was 0.174 (SD = 0.095), again a non-significant difference. These results indicate that the anchoring of packages to the dorsal fin of dolphins can be accomplished with no measurable impact on their subsequent survival or reproductive output. However, botos may be unusually robust to handling, and this study should not be used to justify using similar techniques on other species without customary caution, diligence, and expert guidance. © 2006 by the Society for Marine Mammalogy.
Appears in Collections:Artigos

Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.