Use of fatty acid signature analysis to assess foraging and trophic dynamics in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Final report.

Abstract

This report describes activities of a project where fatty acid analysis was used to assess foraging and trophic dynamics in bottlenose dolphins. Participants in the project attend a workshop on lipid analysis in Dundee Scotland, in order to gain familiarity with techniques used. This knowledge was applied to the 2001-2002 study with tissue samples collected from the blubber of selected dolphins for analysis. Two species of fish commonly consumed by dolphins was also studied. Results of the project are described.