Overall common bottlenose dolphin abundance and density estimates by stratum in Mississippi Sound from the spatially-explicit robust-design capture-recapture model applied to 2010–2012 photo-identification data.

<p>Overall common bottlenose dolphin abundance and density estimates by stratum in Mississippi Sound from the spatially-explicit robust-design capture-recapture model applied to 2010–2012 photo-identification data.</p

Monthly 2013 Getis-Ord Gi* (“hotspots”) of the inshore common bottlenose dolphins tagged with satellite-linked transmitters in Mississippi Sound.

<p>Monthly 2013 Getis-Ord Gi* (“hotspots”) of the inshore common bottlenose dolphins tagged with satellite-linked transmitters in Mississippi Sound.</p

Estimated common bottlenose dolphin density (dolphins km⁻²) and abundance (dolphins) during primary photo-identification capture-recapture periods, and averaged over the study period in Mississippi Sound (MSS).

<p>Estimated common bottlenose dolphin density (dolphins km⁻²) and abundance (dolphins) during primary photo-identification capture-recapture periods, and averaged over the study period in Mississippi Sound (MSS).</p

Mississippi Sound common bottlenose dolphins satellite-linked tagged during summer 2013 and grouped by stratum (Inshore or Island) (ND = not determined; SD = standard deviation).

<p>Mississippi Sound common bottlenose dolphins satellite-linked tagged during summer 2013 and grouped by stratum (Inshore or Island) (ND = not determined; SD = standard deviation).</p

Map of the Mississippi Sound region and common bottlenose dolphin study area in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

<p>a. The Mississippi Sound (2,129 km²), Lake Borgne (730 km²; area west of Half Moon Island), Bay Boudreau (778 km²; Marsh) common bottlenose dolphin stock area, surrounding waters, and the habitat strata (Inshore and Island) for estimating density and abundance (Island stratum − waters <1 km from a barrier island and a 2-km wide corridor in the passes between islands; Inshore stratum—waters north of the Island stratum and Bay Boudreau). b. Mississippi Sound study area with east-west transect lines for capture-recapture photo-identification surveys, and capture locations of 19 satellite-linked tagged dolphins (capture locations may represent multiple tagged dolphins).</p

Number of marked common bottlenose dolphin individuals from each site fidelity bin observed during photo-identification surveys in Mississippi Sound during 2010–2012 (Low = 1–2 primary periods; moderate = 3–4 primary periods; high = ≥ 5 primary periods).

<p>Number of marked common bottlenose dolphin individuals from each site fidelity bin observed during photo-identification surveys in Mississippi Sound during 2010–2012 (Low = 1–2 primary periods; moderate = 3–4 primary periods; high = ≥ 5 primary periods).</p

Review of common bottlenose dolphin density (dolphins km⁻²) estimates for the Mississippi Sound region grouped by survey type, source, years of study, and season (Coefficients of variation are in parentheses).

<p>Review of common bottlenose dolphin density (dolphins km⁻²) estimates for the Mississippi Sound region grouped by survey type, source, years of study, and season (Coefficients of variation are in parentheses).</p

Monthly hot spot number (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01), and hot spot overlap number and percentage between consecutive months at p < 0.05.

<p>Monthly hot spot number (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01), and hot spot overlap number and percentage between consecutive months at p < 0.05.</p

Locations and ranging patterns from common bottlenose dolphins satellite tagged in Mississippi Sound during July 2013–April 2014.

<p>a. Location Class 2 and 3 satellite-linked locations from each dolphin. b. Composite fixed kernel 95% utilization distribution (UD) home range. c. 50% UD core range.</p

Primary periods (#) and dates of Mississippi Sound common bottlenose dolphin capture-recapture photo-identification surveys (n = 8), and for each, a summary of the number of dolphin groups sighted, individuals sighted and photographed, and number of individuals with unique marks.

<p>Primary periods (#) and dates of Mississippi Sound common bottlenose dolphin capture-recapture photo-identification surveys (n = 8), and for each, a summary of the number of dolphin groups sighted, individuals sighted and photographed, and number of individuals with unique marks.</p