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Sampling interval for measurements of estuarine dolphins' (Sotalia guianensis) behaviour

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2009

Rose Emília Macedo De Queiroz  and
Renata Gonçalves Ferreira
Rose Emília Macedo De Queiroz*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal/RN, Brazil
Renata Gonçalves Ferreira
Affiliation:
Departamento de Botânica, Ecologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal/RN, Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Rose Emília Macedo de Queiroz, Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal/RN, Brazil email: sotalia2000@yahoo.com.br
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Abstract

Intervals between sampling are a major concern in studies of behaviour. Objective choices compromise accurate definition, collection of enough data and avoidance of time dependence between samples. This paper tests whether significant differences occur in the proportion of activities of Sotalia guianensis when the protocols of observation using different intervals between registers are varied. The study was carried out at Formosa Bay, south coast of Rio Grande do Norte over a period of 40 days (251 hours). The results show that the use of different intervals of data registering result in non-significant differences in the quantification of behaviour. However, a tendency to over-estimate forage and under-estimate travel at 2 minutes relative to 8 minutes intervals was detected. This warns of the need to define a proper interval between behavioural sampling and addresses the question of the adoption of a common protocol for fast and continuous assessment of different estuarine dolphin populations throughout the Brazilian coast.

Keywords

sampling intervalmeasurementsestuarine dolphins' (Sotalia guianensis) behaviour
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 2 , January 2009 , e53
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009

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