Hector's dolphin movement patterns in response to height and direction of ocean swell. Issue 2 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dittmann, S; Dawson, S; Rayment, W; Webster, T; Slooten, E
• Is Part Of: New Zealand journal of marine and freshwater research. Volume 50:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 228
• Page End: 239
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Akaroa Harbour -- Cephalorhynchus hectori -- Hector's dolphin -- movement pattern -- New Zealand dolphin -- swell direction -- swell height; Marine biology -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; Freshwater biology -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; Freshwater biology; Marine biology; New Zealand; Periodicals; 578.77099305
• DOI: 10.1080/00288330.2015.1119165
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1175-8805

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A central question to any understanding of ecology is how animals use their habitat, and how habitat use is influenced by temporally changing features of the environment. Previous research on Hector's dolphins at Akaroa Harbour, New Zealand suggested that dolphins leave inshore, harbour environments during or after rough weather. To test this hypothesis, visual sightings (2000–2012) and acoustic detections (2007–2008) of Hector's dolphins in Akaroa Harbour were modelled to test for a relationship with swell height and swell direction. Sighting rates and acoustic detection rates in Akaroa Harbour were significantly lower on days after big swell events and in some linear models after swell events from the south. These results indicate that swell events influence Hector's dolphin movements in and around Akaroa Harbour. Possible reasons for this behaviour are diverse and need further investigation. However, this information can be used both to predict daily dolphin movement for conservation and research purposes, and to suggest how dolphins may react in future if extreme weather events are becoming frequent.