Spatial and temporal extinction dynamics in a freshwater cetacean

Geographical range contraction is a fundamental ecological characteristic of species population decline, but relatively little investigation has been conducted into general trends in the dynamic properties of range collapse. The Yangtze River dolphin or baiji (Lipotes vexillifer), probably the first large mammal species to have become extinct in over 50 years, was believed to have experienced major range collapse during its decline through progressive large-scale range contraction and fragmentation. This range-collapse model is challenged by a new dataset of 406 baiji last-sighting records collected from across the baiji''s historical range during an interview survey of Yangtze fishing communities. Although baiji regional abundance may have varied across its range, analyses of the extensive new sighting series provide comprehensive evidence that baiji population decline was not associated with any major contraction in geographical range across the middle–lower Yangtze drainage, even in the decade immediately before probable global extinction of the species. Extinction risk in baiji was therefore seemingly not related to evidence of range collapse. Baiji apparently underwent large-scale periodic and seasonal movements across their range, and we propose that range contraction and fragmentation may not be general biogeographic characteristics for declining populations of mobile species in connected landscapes.     

Habitat Fragmentation and Species Extirpation in Freshwater Ecosystems; Causes of Range Decline of the Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor)

Habitat fragmentation of freshwater ecosystems is increasing rapidly, however the understanding of extinction debt and species decline in riverine habitat fragments lags behind that in other ecosystems. The mighty rivers that drain the Himalaya - the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus, Mekong and Yangtze - are amongst the world’s most biodiverse freshwater ecosystems. Many hundreds of dams have been constructed, are under construction, or are planned on these rivers and large hydrological changes and losses of biodiversity have occurred and are expected to continue. This study examines the causes of range decline of the Indus dolphin, which inhabits one of the world’s most modified rivers, to demonstrate how we may expect other vertebrate populations to respond as planned dams and water developments come into operation. The historical range of the Indus dolphin has been fragmented into 17 river sections by diversion dams; dolphin sighting and interview surveys show that river dolphins have been extirpated from ten river sections, they persist in 6, and are of unknown status in one section. Seven potential factors influencing the temporal and spatial pattern of decline were considered in three regression model sets. Low dry-season river discharge, due to water abstraction at irrigation barrages, was the principal factor that explained the dolphin’s range decline, influencing 1) the spatial pattern of persistence, 2) the temporal pattern of subpopulation extirpation, and 3) the speed of extirpation after habitat fragmentation. Dolphins were more likely to persist in the core of the former range because water diversions are concentrated near the range periphery. Habitat fragmentation and degradation of the habitat were inextricably intertwined and in combination caused the catastrophic decline of the Indus dolphin.     

Little evidence that condition,stress indicators,sex ratio,or homozygosity are related to landscape or habitat attributes in declining woodland birds

Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation are drivers of major declines in biodiversity and species extinctions. The actual causes of species population declines following habitat change are more difficult to discern and there is typically high covariation among the measures used to infer the causes of decline. The causes of decline may act directly on individual fitness and survival, or through disruption of population processes. We examined the relationships among configuration, extent and status of native vegetation and three commonly used indicators of individual body condition and chronic stress (haemoglobin level, haematocrit, residual body mass condition index) in 13 species of woodland‐dependent birds in south‐eastern Australia. We also examined two measures of changes to population processes (sex ratio and individual homozygosity) in ten species and alleic richness in five species. We found little support for relationships between site or landscape characteristics and individual or population response variables, notwithstanding that our simulations showed we had sufficient power to detect relatively small effects. We discuss possible causes of the absence of detectable habitat effects in this system and the implications for the usefulness of individual body condition and easily measured haematological indices as indicators of the response of avian populations to habitat change.     

海岸带生态系统健康评价中能质和生物多样性的差异——以江苏海岸带为例

生态系统健康评价是生态系统保护和监测研究的重要内容,该过程迫切需要综合性强、准确性高的指标,能质和生物多样性指标都是生态系统健康评估中的有效指标.以江苏省海岸带游泳和底栖生物群落为对象,沿海岸线从海州湾到长江入海口北岸选取15个站点,调查研究江苏省海岸带生态系统能质和生物多样性及其空间分布格局.结果表明:江苏海岸带除了中部地区能质和结构能质值较一致(都偏小)外,南北差异明显,生物多样性指数空间分布情况为南部Margalef指数略大于北部,中部较小,Shannon Wiener和Simpson指数空间分布都为南部＞中部＞北部;能质与生物多样性指标在高级生态系统中反映的生态系统健康状态一致,在中低级生态系统中差异明显;能质与生物多样性指标关联程度低,前者的测算侧重于生态系统中物种的等级,后者的测算侧重于物种的数量;总结能质和生物多样性指标在理论支撑、建立理论视角、与生态系统健康对应关系、应用模型以及局限性等方面的差异,研究结果在一定程度上可以丰富和完善生态系统健康评价研究理论与方法体系.     

The development of butterfly indicators in the United Kingdom and assessments in 2010

The United Kingdom (UK) Government has national and international commitments to tackle the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. Biodiversity indicators are used to measure and communicate progress in meeting these commitments. From 2005 onwards, butterflies have been adopted as Governmental biodiversity indicators in England, Scotland and for the UK as a whole. The indicators are compiled using butterfly abundance data collected through the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, at a network of site established from 1976 onwards. The indicators show that butterfly numbers have fluctuated considerably from year-to-year, though analysis of the underlying smoothed multi-species trends for (habitat) ??specialist?? species show significant long-term declines in each country since the 1970s. Trends in wider countryside ??generalist?? species vary at the country-level from little or no overall change in Scotland and across the UK, to declines over selected years in England. Comparisons of changes in butterfly abundance before and after the 2010 target was set in 2002 suggest that the rate of decline at the UK-level is increasing for specialist species. In spite of large amounts of investment since 2000 to improve the habitat condition of protected areas, the trend for butterfly populations is no different in protected areas compared to elsewhere. Analysis by policy sector in England, shows that butterflies are declining rapidly in both forestry land and farmland, although in the latter habitat type, improvements are being seen on land entered into agri-environment schemes. We conclude by assessing the extent to which butterflies may represent broader biodiversity and help inform and evaluate conservation policy.     

Co-occurrence patterns of common and rare leaf-litter frogs, epiphytic ferns and dung beetles across a gradient of human disturbance

Indicator taxa are commonly used to identify priority areas for conservation or to measure biological responses to environmental change. Despite their widespread use, there is no general consensus about the ability of indicator taxa to predict wider trends in biodiversity. Many studies have focused on large-scale patterns of species co-occurrence to identify areas of high biodiversity, threat or endemism, but there is much less information about patterns of species co-occurrence at local scales. In this study, we assess fine-scale co-occurrence patterns of three indicator taxa (epiphytic ferns, leaf litter frogs and dung beetles) across a remotely sensed gradient of human disturbance in the Ecuadorian Amazon. We measure the relative contribution of rare and common species to patterns of total richness in each taxon and determine the ability of common and rare species to act as surrogate measures of human disturbance and each other. We find that the species richness of indicator taxa changed across the human disturbance gradient but that the response differed among taxa, and between rare and common species. Although we find several patterns of co-occurrence, these patterns differed between common and rare species. Despite showing complex patterns of species co-occurrence, our results suggest that species or taxa can act as reliable indicators of each other but that this relationship must be established and not assumed.     

CBC and serum chemistry differences between Indian-derived and Chinese–Indian hybrid rhesus monkey infants

Hematological and clinical biochemistry measures are commonly utilized as indicators of the health status of nonhuman primates. Among individuals in a population of a given species, there may be considerable variation in these parameters. Still wider variation may be found among different strains or subspecies of some orders. To date, few studies have addressed this phenomenon among strains of nonhuman primates of a given species. Blood samples for hematological and serum biochemical analyses were obtained from 29 Indian-derived and 13 Chinese-Indian hybrid nursery-reared rhesus macaque infants. Total protein, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were all higher in the hybrid infants. These results indicate that the origin or strain of the animal should be considered when designing studies using rhesus macaques. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Common pattern of population decline for freshwater cetacean species in deteriorating habitats

1. Freshwater cetacean species, including the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer), Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), Ganges/Indus River dolphins (Platanista spp.) and Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis), apex predators in megariver ecosystems, face serious challenges owing to the deterioration of habitat quality. 2. We simulated population change of four freshwater cetacean species under increasing habitat deterioration. Carrying capacity (K) was used to represent the habitat quality, and a logistic model was used to describe the rate of habitat deterioration (dK). 3. An individual‐based Leslie matrix model showed that population declines and extinctions in freshwater cetaceans under increasing habitat deterioration exhibit a consistent pattern irrespective of the initial level of K or population size. When dK is low, population abundance fluctuates stochastically around initial K, but a rapid increase in dK is accompanied by a sharp population decline, with a residual population ultimately declining continuously to extinction. 4. Simulations show that traditional census survey techniques used in cetacean species are unlikely to detect early signs of population decline before a critical level is reached. 5. Empirical data of the likely extinction of baiji strongly agree with our simulation exercise, implying that extinction of other freshwater cetacean species may occur sooner than previously considered. Hence, precautionary approaches for habitat restoration and landscape management should be implemented before freshwater cetacean population declines are detected, and ideally, before habitat quality begins to deteriorate.     

Analysis of geographic centrality and genetic diversity in the declining grasshopper species Bryodemella tuberculata (Orthoptera: Oedipodinae)

Human-induced ecological and climatic changes have led to the decline and even local extinction of many formerly widely distributed temperate and cold-adapted species. Determining the exact causes of this decline remains difficult. Bryodemella tuberculata was a widely distributed orthopteran species before the mid-19th century. Since then, many European populations have suffered drastic declines and are now considered extinct or critically endangered. We used ecological niche modelling based on a large dataset of extant and extinct occurrence data to investigate whether poor climatic suitability in the periphery of its global range was a possible cause of the local extinction of the European populations of B. tuberculata. We also used population genetics based on the COI marker to estimate and compare the genetic diversity of extant populations. We found that Europe still provides highly suitable habitats close to the climatic optimum, contradicting the assumption of climate change as major driver of this decline. Instead, changes in land-cover and other anthropogenic modifications of the habitats at the local scale seem to be the major reasons for local extinctions. Genetic analysis suggests Central Asia as center of diversity with a stable population size, whereas the effective sizes of the remaining European populations are decreasing. We found European genetic lineages nested within Central Asian lineages, suggesting a Central Asian source distribution area. Our results suggest that the declining European populations represent relics of a formerly wider distribution, which was fragmented by changes in land-use. These relics are now threatened by limited connectivity and small effective population sizes. Specific conservation actions, such as the restoration of former or potential new habitats, and translocation of individuals from extant populations to these restored sites may help slow, stall, or even revert the extinction process.

     

Changes in epizoic crustacean infestations during cetacean die-offs: the mass mortality of Mediterranean striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba revisited

In the summer and autumn of 1990, a cetacean morbillivirus caused a massive epizootic mortality of striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba in the western Mediterranean. Previous circumstantial evidence suggested that the disease could also have increased host susceptibility to infestations with epizoic crustaceans. In this study we provide strong evidence supporting this hypothesis. We examined striped dolphins stranded along the Mediterranean central coast of Spain from 1981 to 2004 (n = 136), and recorded data on prevalence, intensity of infestation, size and reproductive status of 2 sessile crustacean species specific to cetaceans, the phoront cirriped Xenobalanus globicipitis and the mesoparasitic copepod Pennella balaenopterae. Compared with the pre-epizootic (n = 12) and post-epizootic (n = 62) dolphin samples, the following changes were noted in the dolphins stranded during the epizootic (n = 62): (1) the prevalence of both X. globicipitis and P. balaenopterae increased; (2) the intensity of X. globicipitis and P. balaenopterae infestations did not increase; indeed, it was even slightly lower than in the other periods, as was their degree of aggregation; (3) individuals of both species were smaller, and a higher proportion were non-gravid; (4) the 2 species tended to co-occur in the same dolphins, but their numbers did not co-vary. These patterns strongly suggest that, during the epizootic, there was a short-term increase in the probability of infestation of these 2 species because of the sudden rise in the population of susceptible hosts; the growth of the new recruits was limited by the early death of dolphins. The high susceptibility was likely related to the immunosuppressive effects of viral infection and the abnormally heavy loads of polychlorinated biphenyls found in sick dolphins; the level of inbreeding was also higher in dolphins from the 'epizootic' sample. Epizoic crustaceans could be suitable indicators of health in cetacean populations.     

Identifying practical indicators of biodiversity for stand-level management of plantation forests

Identification of valid indicators of biodiversity is a critical need for sustainable forest management. We developed compositional, structural and functional indicators of biodiversity for five taxonomic groups—bryophytes, vascular plants, spiders, hoverflies and birds—using data from 44 Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) plantation forests in Ireland. The best structural biodiversity indicator was stand stage, defined using a multivariate classification of forest structure variables. However, biodiversity trends over the forest cycle and between tree species differ among the taxonomic groups studied. Canopy cover was the main structural indicator and affected other structural variables such as cover of lower vegetation layers. Other structural indicators included deadwood and distances to forest edge and to broadleaved woodland. Functional indicators included stand age, site environmental characteristics and management practices. Compositional indicators were limited to more easily identifiable plant and bird species. Our results suggest that the biodiversity of any one of the species groups we surveyed cannot act as a surrogate for all of the other species groups. However, certain subgroups, such as forest bryophytes and saproxylic hoverflies, may be able to act as surrogates for each other. The indicators we have identified should be used together to identify stands of potentially high biodiversity or to evaluate the biodiversity effects of silvicultural management practices. They are readily assessed by non-specialists, ecologically meaningful and applicable over a broad area with similar climate conditions and silvicultural systems. The approach we have used to develop biodiversity indicators, including stand structural types, is widely relevant and can enhance sustainable forest management of plantations.     

Determination of conservation priorities in regions with multiple political jurisdictions

Red lists serve as the most prominent tool for priority setting in applied conservation, even though they were not originally designed for this task. Hence, threat status does not always reflect actual conservation needs and can be very different from actual conservation priorities. Therefore, red lists may at best be a suboptimal tool for setting conservation priorities in a country or region. As a response, a range of alternative or complementary tools have been developed, with approaches, methods, and parameters such as population decline, population center etc. used, differing widely among countries. One recent development is the combination of conservation status with a measure of the international importance of a population in a focal region for the global survival of a species. Here, we provide a new method that integrates the two concepts while keeping them conceptually separate. The main benefit of this method is that it can be applied across variable geographical scales such as regions, countries, and even continents. Furthermore, it allows for better recommendations for applied conservation and conservation policy development than the two concepts in isolation. Our method, if applied internationally, would allow for a standardized priority setting in species conservation, would be highly comparable between countries, and would lead to a more efficient use of the limited financial and human resources for monitoring and conservation of biodiversity.     

长江生态考核指标: 基于被动声学监测的长江江豚数量

长江是复杂的生态系统, 但是随着长江生态环境的持续变化, 尤其是人类扰动所致的变化, 长江中的几种极其重要的大型物种先后因此而走向“灭绝”, 或“极可能灭绝”, 或“极度濒危”, 因此在现阶段有必要以现存于长江中的大型物种的生存状况为核心, 建立一项新的生态考核指标, 以综合表征长江生态系统的健康状况和生物多样性的完整性, 为“十年禁捕”和《长江保护法》的顺利实施提供科技支持。长江江豚(Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis)仅分布于长江中下游及洞庭湖、鄱阳湖, 是长江中极可能仅存的大型水生哺乳动物, 多年来一直受到社会各界的高度关注, 已成为长江“明星”物种。长江江豚种群分布和数量的变化与长江生态环境和鱼类资源的变化密切相关, 具有综合表征生态环境质量和生物多样性及其变化的基本属性。在复杂的水下声环境中, 长江江豚的声纳信号具有独特的时频特征, 具有较强的可监测性和可量化特征, 并且已被广泛应用于长江江豚的被动声学监测、实时识别和群体估算。同时, 在自然水域对长江江豚进行被动声学监测是一项方便和高效的工作。在沿江和沿湖设置一些样地水域, 布置水下声学仪器, 开展长期被动声学监测, 不但可以掌握长江江豚的分布规律、群体规模及其变化, 而且可以为定量分析样地水域生态环境质量和鱼类等水生生物的丰度提供可信的依据, 继而可以为定量评价所监测水域人类活动对生态环境及水生生物扰动提供长期数据支撑。因此, 基于被动声学监测的长江江豚种群数量, 可作为一项重要的生态考核指标, 用于定量评价长江生态环境质量和水生生物多样性及其在时间和空间上的变化, 并用于考核相关保护工作的落实情况和实际的保护效果。     

Assessing spatial patterns and density of a dolphin population through signature whistles

Some dolphin species produce signature whistles, which may allow the identification of individual dolphins using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). Identifying individuals by their sounds may enhance the opportunities for monitoring and addressing biological and ecological questions about these species. Here, we explored the potential of signature whistles to investigate ecological aspects of a resident bottlenose dolphin population. Using a limited data set, with few individuals recognized by signature whistles, combined with spatial capture-recapture (SCR) methods, we investigated how effective such approach is describing spatial use patterns and estimating density for this population. The data were collected using 4–6 stationary bottom-moored recorders. Since only eight signature whistles were identified, our density estimate may represent a subset of the entire population. However, even with only a few signature whistles identified, our results confirmed the center of the core area used by these dolphins as the area with the highest encounter probability. In addition, our results provided evidence that these dolphins have the same spatial use pattern at night as during the day. This study shows that SCR analysis of signature whistle data can improve our ecological knowledge and understanding of dolphin populations.     

Evolution of river dolphins

The world's river dolphins (Inia, Pontoporia, Lipotes and Platanista) are among the least known and most endangered of all cetaceans. The four extant genera inhabit geographically disjunct river systems and exhibit highly modified morphologies, leading many cetologists to regard river dolphins as an unnatural group. Numerous arrangements have been proposed for their phylogenetic relationships to one another and to other odontocete cetaceans. These alternative views strongly affect the biogeographical and evolutionary implications raised by the important, although limited, fossil record of river dolphins. We present a hypothesis of river dolphin relationships based on phylogenetic analysis of three mitochondrial genes for 29 cetacean species, concluding that the four genera represent three separate, ancient branches in odontocete evolution. Our molecular phylogeny corresponds well with the first fossil appearances of the primary lineages of modern odontocetes. Integrating relevant events in Tertiary palaeoceanography, we develop a scenario for river dolphin evolution during the globally high sea levels of the Middle Miocene. We suggest that ancestors of the four extant river dolphin lineages colonized the shallow epicontintental seas that inundated the Amazon, Paraná, Yangtze and Indo-Gangetic river basins, subsequently remaining in these extensive waterways during their transition to freshwater with the Late Neogene trend of sea-level lowering.     

Conservation of Scops Owl Otus scops in the Alps: relationships with grassland management, predation risk and wider biodiversity

The Scops Owl Otus scops is the most endangered and least studied owl in Europe, with widespread declines reported throughout Europe. The species is qualitatively associated with two threats: changes in agricultural practices and predation by Tawny Owls Strix aluco . We investigated these two threats to a population in the Alps, where land abandonment is causing widespread woodland expansion with unknown consequences. Predation risk and environmental indicators of the degree of agricultural change both predicted Scops Owl distribution. Furthermore, agricultural change also affected broader biodiversity, as estimated by the richness and diversity of bird and diurnal butterfly species. This resulted in a strong association between Scops Owl presence and wider biodiversity, which held at different spatial scales and justified a conservation focus on a single, threatened species. The persistence of Scops Owls in the Alps could be promoted through subsidies halting land abandonment and promoting extensive grassland management practices. Such interventions would have the additional advantage of yielding broader biodiversity benefits.     

Climate‐associated population declines reverse recovery and threaten future of an iconic high‐elevation plant

Although climate change is predicted to place mountain‐top and other narrowly endemic species at severe risk of extinction, the ecological processes involved in such extinctions are still poorly resolved. In addition, much of this biodiversity loss will likely go unobserved, and therefore largely unappreciated. The Haleakalā silversword is restricted to a single volcano summit in Hawai‘i, but is a highly charismatic giant rosette plant that is viewed by 1–2 million visitors annually. We link detailed local climate data to a lengthy demographic record, and combine both with a population‐wide assessment of recent plant mortality and recruitment, to show that after decades of strong recovery following successful management, this iconic species has entered a period of substantial climate‐associated decline. Mortality has been highest at the lower end of the distributional range, where most silverswords occur, and the strong association of annual population growth rates with patterns of precipitation suggests an increasing frequency of lethal water stress. Local climate data confirm trends toward warmer and drier conditions on the mountain, and signify a bleak outlook for silverswords if these trends continue. The silversword example foreshadows trouble for diversity in other biological hotspots, and illustrates how even well‐protected and relatively abundant species may succumb to climate‐induced stresses.     

A meta-analysis of spatial relationships in species richness across taxa: Birds as indicators of wider biodiversity in temperate regions

AimIndicators are an important tool by which conservationists monitor biodiversity because resources and expertise needed to survey biodiversity in a more direct way are often lacking. We aim to examine the effectiveness of species richness in birds as an indicator of species richness in other taxa. Birds are perhaps the most widely monitored species group so it is important to understand whether they can act as surrogates for distribution and abundance of other taxa.MethodsWe use a meta-analytical approach to assess the effectiveness of birds as indicators of cross-taxonomic species richness on spatial data from terrestrial temperate studies.ResultsThe literature showed mixed results but, in general, species richness in birds only weakly reflected species richness in other taxa. On average 19% of the variation in total species richness in other taxa was explained by species richness in birds. This is marginally higher than results found in a previous meta-analysis of species richness correlations between all taxa. Birds were more effective at reflecting cross-taxa species richness in study areas that were dominated by agricultural mosaics or mixtures of habitat types; they were less effective in forests and grassland environments. Overall, birds were better at reflecting species richness in mammals than other taxa, and relationships were more effective at larger spatial scales.Main conclusionsSpecies richness in birds only weakly reflected that of other taxa. Birds might be most useful as indicators of spatial variation in wider biodiversity in relatively patchy environments and for taxa that have similar spatial requirements. Species richness is one of many potential metrics for measuring biodiversity. There is a need to assess whether temporal change in bird populations and assemblages, as opposed to spatial variation, reflects change in other taxa and to identify elements of biodiversity for which birds could be the most effective surrogates.     

Prospects for monitoring freshwater ecosystems towards the 2010 targets

Human activities have severely affected the condition of freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Physical alteration, habitat loss, water withdrawal, pollution, overexploitation and the introduction of non-native species all contribute to the decline in freshwater species. Today, freshwater species are, in general, at higher risk of extinction than those in forests, grasslands and coastal ecosystems. For North America alone, the projected extinction rate for freshwater fauna is five times greater than that for terrestrial fauna--a rate comparable to the species loss in tropical rainforest. Because many of these extinctions go unseen, the level of assessment and knowledge of the status and trends of freshwater species are still very poor, with species going extinct before they are even taxonomically classified. Increasing human population growth and achieving the sustainable development targets set forth in 2002 will place even higher demands on the already stressed freshwater ecosystems, unless an integrated approach to managing water for people and ecosystems is implemented by a broad constituency. To inform and implement policies that support an integrated approach to water management, as well as to measure progress in halting the rapid decline in freshwater species, basin-level indicators describing the condition and threats to freshwater ecosystems and species are required. This paper discusses the extent and quality of data available on the number and size of populations of freshwater species, as well as the change in the extent and condition of natural freshwater habitats. The paper presents indicators that can be applied at multiple scales, highlighting the usefulness of using remote sensing and geographical information systems technologies to fill some of the existing information gaps. Finally, the paper includes an analysis of major data gaps and information needs with respect to freshwater species to measure progress towards the 2010 biodiversity targets.     

Population size estimate of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in the Algoa Bay region, South Africa

This study estimates the population size of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops aduncus ) in the Algoa Bay region on the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa. Mark-recapture analyses were performed on photo-identification data collected on 54 occasions during a 3-yr-study period. Using a photographic data set of over 10,000 ID-images, 1,569 individuals were identified, 131 of which were photographed on more than one occasion. Using the POPAN formulation in the software program MARK, a total population of approximately 28,482 individuals (95% CI = 16,220–40,744; CV = 0.220), was estimated (estimate corrected for the proportion of distinctive individuals in the population). This is the largest population estimate to date for this species along the South African coast, suggesting that the bottlenose dolphins inhabiting the Algoa Bay region represent part of a substantially larger population that ranges along a considerable length of the South African coast.