Assessing the effectiveness of acoustic signals in mark-recapture studies to estimate dolphins’ population size

Accurate estimations of animal population size are pivotal for implementing management strategies properly. Recapture technique based on sounds as a specimen identification mark has barely been used for marine mammals. However, inferring abundance estimates from acoustic methods could enhance the accuracy and precision of population size assessments. Here, we tested the possibility of using signature whistles as individual marks for estimating the size of common bottlenose dolphin (<i>Tursiops truncatus</i>) populations. Data were continuously collected for 326 days in 2015-2016, by using a fixed acoustic device located in the Sicily Strait (Italy). The SIGID method was applied to identify Signature Whistles Types (SWTs) over 7,000 h of recordings. Eighty SWTs were detected as long as their stereotyped fundamental frequency contours were repeated in bouts of at least 6 renditions. The mean SWTs monthly recording rate resulted in 0.19 (<i>Standard deviation</i> = 0.16), with 20 SWTs recorded over 5 or more different encounters (until a maximum of 30 encounters). The Jolly-Seber model (with POPAN formulation) was run in Mark software to estimate the population size. The estimated population size resulted in 171 bottlenose dolphins (95% confidence interval = 137-215). Even if the detection and identification of signature whistles required crucial precautions, and animals could be detected differently from visual techniques, the population size estimate obtained was comparable with previous results based on physical marks data. These outcomes demonstrated that signature whistles can be considered a strongly effective tool for integrating traditional mark-recapture techniques with finely estimated dolphins' population abundances.