Mark-recapture abundance estimate of tucuxi dolphins (Sotalia fluviatilis) in a lake system of the Central Amazon

Coimbra, Zulmira H.; Assis, Carlos; da Silva, Vera M. F.; dos Santos, Manuel E.

http://hdl.handle.net/10451/38822

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Authors

Coimbra, Zulmira H.

Assis, Carlos

da Silva, Vera M. F.

dos Santos, Manuel E.

Abstract(s)

The tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) is a small dolphin endemic to the Amazon River basin. Because the abundance and trends are currently unknown for the species, this study aimed to estimate its abundance in a lake system of the Central Amazon. A total of 10 two-day sampling periods were carried out from March to June of 2013 throughout a 13.5 km2 area in the Mamirauá Reserve. In the 104 encounters with the species, a minimum number of 389 dolphins were sighted and photographed, which allowed the positive identification of 49 individuals. Mark-recapture models were used to estimate an abundance of 119 individuals (95% CI = 105–150) (corrected for the proportion of identifiable individuals). This is the first estimation of S. fluviatilis abundance using mark-recapture analyses and, together with the photo-id catalog made available, provides a useful reference for future studies regarding tucuxi dolphins.