Risk Factors for Colonization ofE. coliin Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida

Opportunistic pathogens related to degradation in water quality are of concern to both wildlife and public health. The objective of this study was to identify spatial, temporal, and environmental risk factors forE. colicolonization among Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), FL between 2003 and 2007. Age, gender, capture location, coastal human population density, proximity of sewage treatment plants, number of septic tanks, cumulative precipitation 48 hrs and 30 days prior to capture, salinity, and water temperature were analyzed as potential risk factors. HighestE. colicolonization rates occurred in the northern segments of the IRL. The risk ofE. colicolonization was the highest among the youngest individuals, in counties with the highest cumulative rainfall 48 hrs and in counties with the highest number of septic systems during the year of capture. The prevalence of colonization was the highest during 2004, a year during which multiple hurricanes hit the coast of Florida. Septic tanks, in combination with weather-related events suggest a possible pathway for introduction of fecal coliforms into estuarine ecosystems. The ability ofE. coliand related bacteria to act as primary pathogens or cause opportunistic infections adds importance of these findings.

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Serological Evidence of Exposure to Selected Viral, Bacterial, and Protozoal Pathogens in Free-Ranging Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina

Aquatic Mammals ◽

10.1578/am.35.2.2009.163 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 163-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Adam M. Schaefer ◽

John S. Reif ◽

Juli D. Goldstein ◽

Caitlin N. Ryan ◽

Patricia A. Fair ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Carolina ◽

Tursiops Truncatus ◽

Bottlenose Dolphins ◽

Indian River Lagoon ◽

Serological Evidence ◽

Indian River ◽

Free Ranging

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“HEMATOLOGIC, BIOCHEMISTRY AND CYTOLOGIC FINDINGS FROM APPARENTLY HEALTHY ATLANTIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) INHABITING THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON, FLORIDA, USA”

Journal of Wildlife Diseases ◽

10.7589/0090-3558-42.4.897 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. 897-897 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Keyword(s):

Tursiops Truncatus ◽

Bottlenose Dolphins ◽

Indian River Lagoon ◽

Indian River ◽

Apparently Healthy

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Robust design capture-recapture analysis of abundance and demographic parameters of Indian River Lagoon common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus)

10.1101/2020.01.30.926683 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wendy Noke Durden ◽

Eric D. Stolen ◽

Lydia Moreland ◽

Elisabeth Howells ◽

Teresa Jablonski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Robust Design ◽

Tursiops Truncatus ◽

Bottlenose Dolphins ◽

Indian River Lagoon ◽

Adult Survival ◽

Demographic Parameters ◽

Estuarine System ◽

Mark Recapture ◽

Temporary Emigration ◽

Indian River

AbstractAccurate estimates of abundance are critical to species management and conservation. Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) estuarine system along the east coast of Florida are impacted by anthropogenic activities and have had multiple unexplained mortality events, necessitating precise estimates of demographic and abundance parameters to implement management strategies. Mark-recapture methodology following a Robust Design survey was used to estimate abundance, adult survival, and temporary emigration for the IRL estuarine system stock of bottlenose dolphins. Models included a parameter (time since first capture) to assess evidence for transient individuals. Boat-based photo-identification surveys (n = 135) were conducted along predetermined contour and transect lines throughout the entire IRL (2016-2017). The best fitting model included the “transient” parameter to survival, allowed survival to vary by primary period, detection to vary by secondary session, and did not allow temporary emigration. Dolphin abundance ranged from 981 (95% CI: 882-1,090) in winter to 1,078 (95% CI: 968-1,201) in summer with a mean of 1,032 (95% CI: 969 -1,098). Model averaged seasonal survival rate for marked residents ranged from 0.85-1.00. Capture probability ranged from 0.20 to 0.42 during secondary sessions and transient rate from 0.06 to 0.07. This study represents the first Robust design mark-recapture survey effort to estimate abundance for IRL dolphins and provides parameter estimates to optimize sampling design of future studies. Transients included individuals with home ranges extending north of the IRL requiring further assessment of stock delineation. Results were remarkably similar to prior abundance estimates resulting from line-transect aerial surveys and were consistent with a stable population. Data will enable managers to evaluate the impact of fisheries-related takes as well as enable future comparisons of demographic parameters for a dolphin population that continues to sustain large scale mortality events and anthropogenic impacts.

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