Photo Identification of Marine Mammals

MARE 390Dr. Turner

Photo IDMarked 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

Photo ID in Marine MammalsFirst record in marine mammals

Orca from Australia – late 1800’sWhalers & Fishermen documented 27

Many early records were anomalously white animals

Or severely damaged fins

Photo ID in Marine MammalsStudies 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

Photo ID in Marine MammalsReal benefit of technique are long-term studies

can identify relationships: social & sexual

Photogrammetry – measuring the size and spacing of animals

Photo ID MethodsDistinctive 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

Photo ID MethodsLongevity and Changeability of marks critical

Wounds and ScarsWounds heal rather quicklyScars last for life

Cookie-cutter shark bitesIntra-specific agression

Photo ID MethodsViewing animals:

From Shorenon-invasive, inexpensiveinformation on individuals limitedCamera or Theodolite tracking

From AirplanesSomewhat invasive & expensive

Photo ID MethodsViewing animals:

From BoatsMost practical, most invasive

Other formatsUnderwater CamerasVideo Cameras

Photo AnalysisNegatives, prints, digital imagesTracings, eye, microscopeExamine shape, markings, leading/trailing edge

Photo AnalysisStored with similar fins/flukes in folders

1, 2, 3 notchesDamaged finsBlack, white, black & white flukes

Dorsal Ratio

Photo Analysis

Photo AnalysisBeluga whale – scars on body

Killer whale – dorsal fin shapeSaddle pigmentation

Photo AnalysisPilot whale – nicks, scratches, scars, pigments on body and back

Humpbacked dolphin – scars on back, flank, dorsal fin

Photo AnalysisAtlantic white sideddolphin – scars and nicks,on dorsal fins; unusualpigment patterns

Dusky dolphin –scars and nicks, onDorsal fins; unusualpigment patterns

Photo AnalysisPacific white sided dolphin – scars and nicks,on dorsal fins; white individuals

Bottlenose dolphin – nicks, scars and pigment spots on dorsal fin

Photo AnalysisRisso’s dolphin – pigmentpatterns, nicks on dorsalfin, scars on back

Spinner dolphin – scars and marks on dorsal fin

Photo AnalysisAtlantic spotted dolphin– fin and fluke marks;body spot patterns

Pan tropical spotted dolphin – fin and flukemarks; body spot patterns

Photo AnalysisHeaviside’s dolphin – white animals, dorsalfin marks

Hector’s dolphin – dorsal fin nicks

Photo AnalysisHarbor porpoise – dorsal fin scars andnicks, and pigment areas

Dall’s porpoise – dorsal fin pigmentation, color anomalies, dorsal fin deformities

Photo AnalysisBaiji – 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

Photo AnalysisRight whale – pattern of callosities

Bowhead whale – pigment patterns

Photo AnalysisSperm whale – dorsal fin scars and nicks, and pigment areas

Blue whale – dorsal fin scars and nicks, cookie-cutter shark scars

Photo AnalysisHumpback whale – dorsal fin scars and nicks, cookie-cutter shark scars