Mark-recapture estimates of seasonal abundance and survivorship for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) near Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

The article discusses a research study on bottlenose dolphins or Tursiops truncatus near Charleston, South Carolina using the mark-recapture data of survivorship and seasonal abundance. Four areas comprising the study region include the southernmost region (SRE), Charleston Harbor lower and upper portions (CHS) and stretches of the rivers Ashley, Cooper and Wando (ACW) where systematic surveys were done from 5-6meters (m) centre-console vessels with 3-4 crew following a designated route and photographing dolphins for the mark-recapture models for short periods and open models for long periods. Results indicated the influx of transient dolphins during the 2005 and 2006 autumn months and a similar trend during summer with the lowest abundance in winter.