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Habitat selection in a coastal dolphin species (Cephalorhynchus hectori)

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Abstract

Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) is a small New Zealand delphinid with a coastal distribution. Within a strip of 1 km from shore, the present study quantified the habitat used by the dolphins (n=461 groups) over a 19-month period (216 field days with 966 survey hours) by recording the abiotic factors sea surface temperature (SST), water depth and water clarity. Resource selection functions were used to distinguish the properties of 461 "used" sites (dolphins present) from 425 "unused" sites (no dolphins present) in six different study areas. Most dolphins were encountered in waters <39 m depth, with <4 m Secchi disk visibility and >14°C temperature. The preference of Hector's dolphins for warm and turbid waters was tested using eight models. Water depth, water clarity, SST and the study area explained dolphin presence to a very significant degree (p<0.001), and the model allowed the creation of probability plots for a variety of combinations of the variables. Habitat selection by dolphins differed between study areas, particularly between east and west coasts, in summer (December–February) and winter (June–August). Dolphin abundance appeared to change seasonally in some study areas, possibly due to a more offshore distribution of their prey in the winter, with its lower SSTs. This was so especially in summer (the main reproductive season), when dolphins (frequently with calves) occupied shallow and turbid waters, whereas in winter less use was made of this habitat.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the many volunteers for their essential help on the boat and in the laboratory as well as the Frasers, the van Berkels, the Würsigs, S. Johnson, the Dusky Dolphin Research Project (Earthwatch), University of Canterbury (Edward Percival Field Station and Mason Research Facility) and Department of Conservation (South Westland Field Centre and West Coast Conservancy) for accommodation and local support. This paper was improved by comments from L. Ballance, S. Dawson, L. McDonald, L. Sadler, M. Thiel, B. Würsig and two anonymous reviewers. Special thanks to G. Trounson and T. Cole for help with the production of the figures. The study was supported by Cetacean Society International, Department of Conservation, Marine Mammal Research Program of Texas A&M University, New Zealand Whale and Dolphin Trust, Reckitt and Colman and the University of Otago (Postgraduate Scholarship and Divisional Grant). The research was conducted under a Marine Mammal Permit issued to S.B. by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

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  1. S. Bräger

    Present address: Scharstorfer Weg 12, 24211, Schellhorn, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    S. Bräger

  2. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand

    J. A. Harraway

  3. Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc., 2003 Central Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82001, USA

    B. F. J. Manly

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  1. S. Bräger
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Correspondence to S. Bräger.

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Communicated by G.F. Humphrey, Sydney

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Bräger, S., Harraway, J.A. & Manly, B.F.J. Habitat selection in a coastal dolphin species (Cephalorhynchus hectori). Marine Biology 143, 233–244 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-003-1068-x

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