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