Foraging habits and levels of mercury in a resident population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Caribbean Sea, Panama
Fecha
2019Autor
Barragán-Barrera, Dalia C.
Luna-Acosta, Andrea
May-Collado, Laura J.
Polo-Silva, Carlos J.
Riet-Sapriza, Federico G.
Bustamante, Paco
Hernández-Ávila, María Paula
Vélez, Natalia
Farías-Curtidor, Nohelia
Caballero, Susana
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Resumen
A small and genetically isolated bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) population resides year-round in the
Bocas del Toro Archipelago-Panama (BDT). Photo-identification and genetic data showed that this dolphin
population is highly phylopatric and is formed exclusively by individuals of the “inshore form”. This study aimed
to investigate the trophic ecology and mercury concentrations of bottlenose dolphins in BDT to assess their
coastal habits. We collected muscle samples (n=175) of 11 potential fish prey species, and skin samples from
free-ranging dolphins in BDT (n=37) and La Guajira-Colombia (n=7) to compare isotopic niche width. Results
showed that BDT dolphins have a coastal feeding habit, belong to the “inshore form”
(δ13C=−13.05 ± 1.89‰), and have low mercury concentrations (mean=1637 ± 1387 ng g−1dw).
However, this element is biomagnified in the BDT food chain, showing a marginal dolphins health risk
(RQ=1.00). We call for a monitoring pollutant program and conservation strategies aimed to protect the
dolphin population at BDT.
Palabras clave
Tursiops truncatus; Inshore form; Bocas del Toro; Bioaccumulation; Stable isotopesEnlace al recurso
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.04.076Colecciones
- Año 2019 [125]
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