SATELLITE-MONITORED MOVEMENTS AND DIVE BEHAVIOR OF A BOTTLE-NOSED-DOLPHIN (TURSIOPS-TRUNCATUS) IN TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA

An adult, female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was radio tagged and monitored via satellite-based Argos receivers for 25 d from 28 June to 23 July 1990, in Tampa Bay, Florida. A total of 734 transmissions were obtained during 106 satellite passes. A mean of 3.9 (SE = 0.24) locations/day were determined by Service Argos and showed the animal remained in the bay, usually dose to the southeastern shore. The dolphin moved at least 581 km at a minimum mean speed of 1.2 (SE = 0.1) km/h. Data from 63,922 dives were recorded. The animal spent an average of 87.1 (SE = 0.6)% of the time submerged, with a mean dive duration of 25.8 (SE = 0.5) sec. Mean dive duration differed significantly between four periods of the day, as did the mean percent of time spent submerged. During the early morning the animal spent more time at the surface, averaged shorter dives, and was submerged less than other times of day. This is the first study to demonstrate diel dive cycles in a bottlenose dolphin. Four months after tag loss, the dolphin was photographed with no evidence of necrosis or disfigurement of the dorsal fin. Satellite telemetry was demonstrated as an effective means of documenting the movements and dive behavior of a small inshore cetacean.