Degrees of residence of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in Ilha Grande Bay, south-eastern Brazil: a preliminary assessment

The Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis, is a small delphinid found in coastal areas from northern Honduras to southern Brazil. Little is known about the ecology of this species in several areas of its geographical distribution. In this paper, we present new data about the residency of Guiana dolphins in Ilha Grande Bay, south-eastern Brazil. Boat surveys were conducted at the study area from May 2007 to March 2008. Applying the photo-identification technique, we took pictures of dolphins' dorsal fins, looking for natural markings on them. A total of 17,969 photographs were taken, from which was created a databank of 462 distinct dolphins. Individuals showed different degrees of residency in the bay. More than 50% of the catalogued dolphins were considered non-residents and/or showed a low degree of residence. The average interval between resightings was 35 +/- 27.4 days. Animals without markings (calves and juveniles) accounted for 45% (N = 2917) of photographs taken. These results indicate that this population has a fluid structure including different individuals over time. We suggest a possible relationship between the presence of some individuals and local resource availability, such as prey and protected areas.