Visual and genetic surveys for odontocete cetaceans in American Samoa 2003-06
Citation
Chapla, M. 2008. Visual and genetic surveys for odontocete cetaceans in American Samoa 2003-06. Data downloaded from OBIS-SEAMAP (http://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/466) on yyyy-mm-dd. https://doi.org/10.15468/jdas39 accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-09-01.Description
Original provider: Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center & Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Dataset credits: Marie Chapla Hill, Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Research Corporation for the University of Hawaii David Johnston, Duke University Marine Laboratory David Mattila, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Jooke Robbins, Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies Abstract: Very little is known about the species composition, distribution, abundance, and stock structure of odontocete cetaceans inhabiting the United States Exclusive Economic Zone's (EEZ) waters of American Samoa. While some information on species presence in this region has been gleaned from anecdotal sightings and whaling and stranding records, the diversity of odontocete cetaceans in the waters of American Samoa has never been formally investigated. We conducted a series of small boat photo-identification and biopsy surveys for cetaceans in the nearshore waters of Tutuila during 2003-2006. As well, ship-based visual surveys were conducted in the waters surrounding the Manu'a Islands, Rose Atoll, and Swains Island in the summer of 2006. A total of 52 groups of odontocete cetaceans were encountered during small boat surveys, including spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.), dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima), and unidentified odontocetes. A total of six groups of cetaceans were encountered during ship-based surveys, including false killer whales, pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), sperm whales, and unidentified odontocetes. Photographs, taken during both small boat and ship-based surveys, were analyzed for quality, and individuals with distinctive markings were selected for entry into the photo-identification catalogue. The resulting catalog includes 46 spinner dolphins, 41 rough-toothed dolphins, 2 bottlenose dolphins, 5 false killer whales, 4 pilot whales, 1 dwarf sperm whale, and 4 sperm whales. Thirteen (13) spinner dolphins and 14 rough-toothed dolphins were sighted in multiple years. For spinner dolphins, genetic data were used to estimate genetic diversity and effective population size and to compare these values with those of spinner dolphins in the Hawaiian Islands. Diversity and populations size estimates were higher in American Samoa than in Hawai'i, suggesting a larger population size at American Samoa.Purpose
Not availableSampling Description
Study Extent
NASampling
NAMethod steps
- NA
Additional info
marine, harvested by iOBISTaxonomic Coverages
Scientific names are based on the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
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Globicephala macrorhynchuscommon name: Short-finned Pilot Whale rank: species
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Kogia simacommon name: Dwarf Sperm Whale rank: species
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Megaptera novaeangliaecommon name: Humpback Whale rank: species
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Physeter macrocephaluscommon name: Sperm Whale rank: species
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Pseudorca crassidenscommon name: False Killer Whale rank: species
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Stenella longirostriscommon name: Spinner Dolphin rank: species
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Steno bredanensiscommon name: Rough-toothed Dolphin rank: species
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Tursiopscommon name: bottlenose dolphins rank: genus
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Delphinidaecommon name: dolphins rank: family
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Delphinidaecommon name: dolphins rank: family
Geographic Coverages
Oceans
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Marie C. Hilloriginator
position: Primary contact
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
email: Marie.Hill@noaa.gov
OBIS-SEAMAP
metadata author
Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University
A328 LSRC building
Durham
27708
NC
US
email: seamap-contact@duke.edu
homepage: http://seamap.env.duke.edu
OBIS-SEAMAP
distributor
Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University
A328 LSRC building
Durham
27708
NC
US
email: seamap-contact@duke.edu
homepage: http://seamap.env.duke.edu
Marie C. Hill
owner
position: Primary contact
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
email: Marie.Hill@noaa.gov
Marie C. Hill
administrative point of contact
position: Primary contact
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
email: Marie.Hill@noaa.gov