AI Article Synopsis
- A genetically isolated population of bottlenose dolphins in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama, has been found to have a strong preference for staying in their coastal habitat.
- The study analyzed muscle and skin samples to investigate the dolphins' feeding habits and mercury levels, revealing they primarily consume local fish and have low mercury concentrations.
- However, there is a concern about mercury biomagnification in their food chain, prompting a call for monitoring programs and conservation efforts to protect these dolphins.
Article Abstract
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" (δC = -13.05 ± 1.89‰), and have low mercury concentrations (mean = 1637 ± 1387 ng gdw). 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.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.04.076 | DOI Listing |
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