Foraging habits and levels of mercury in a resident population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Caribbean Sea, Panama.
Mar Pollut Bull
; 145: 343-356, 2019 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31590796
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 (nâ¯=â¯175) of 11 potential fish prey species, and skin samples from free-ranging dolphins in BDT (nâ¯=â¯37) and La Guajira-Colombia (nâ¯=â¯7) to compare isotopic niche width. Results showed that BDT dolphins have a coastal feeding habit, belong to the "inshore form" (δ13Câ¯=â¯-13.05⯱â¯1.89), and have low mercury concentrations (meanâ¯=â¯1637⯱â¯1387â¯ngâ¯g-1dw). However, this element is biomagnified in the BDT food chain, showing a marginal dolphins health risk (RQâ¯=â¯1.00). We call for a monitoring pollutant program and conservation strategies aimed to protect the dolphin population at BDT.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Poluentes Químicos da Água
/
Golfinho Nariz-de-Garrafa
/
Mercúrio
Limite:
Animals
/
Pregnancy
País/Região como assunto:
America central
/
Panama
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mar Pollut Bull
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Canadá