Browsing by Author "Seck, Diana"
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- Assessing the population size and range dynamics of the atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) in the saloum delta, Senegal, based on two years of photo-identificationPublication . Seck, Diana; Castro, Maria Margarida Miranda de; Keith-Diagne, Lucy W.The Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii), is a critically endangered species found along the coast of West and Central Africa, including the Saloum Delta in Senegal. The presence of the Atlantic humpback dolphin has been confirmed in at least 13 countries along the West African coast. For the remaining six countries, it is unknown whether the lack of data is due to the lack of researchers focusing on the Atlantic humpback dolphin, or whether the species is truly absent from those countries. This study aimed to contribute to our understanding of this species by creating the first long-term photo-identification catalog, Mark-Recapture Analysis, and absolute population abundance estimate in the Saloum Delta, Senegal. The photo identification catalog was established through the collection and analysis of more than 13,000 photographs that captured unique markings and pigmentation patterns on individual dolphins during boat surveys conducted throughout the Saloum Delta in July 2021 and March-April 2022. A total of 164 individual dolphins were identified based on the unique markings on their dorsal fins. Of these 164 (24.4%) were observed on more than one occasion, 9.1% more than two times, and 3.7% more than three times. Mapping of movements of these individuals demonstrated that some ranged widely while others showed high site fidelity. A simple Chapman-modified Petersen mark-recapture estimate generated an abundance estimate of 469 individuals (CV 5733, 95% confidence interval 275 to 801). These preliminary results confirm the results of earlier studies indicating that the Saloum Delta hosts one of the largest known populations of AHD throughout its range and provides additional incentive to conserve the population and its habitat.