SATELLITE-MONITORED MOVEMENTS AND DIVE BEHAVIOR OF A BOTTLE-NOSED-DOLPHIN (TURSIOPS-TRUNCATUS) IN TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA

An adult, female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was radio tag ged and monitored via satellite-based Argos receivers for 25 d from 28 June to 23 July 1990, in Tampa Bay, Florida. A total of 734 transmiss ions were obtained during 106 satellite passes. A mean of 3.9 (SE = 0. 24) locations/day were determined by Service Argos and showed the anim al remained in the bay, usually dose to the southeastern shore. The do lphin moved at least 581 km at a minimum mean speed of 1.2 (SE = 0.1) km/h. Data from 63,922 dives were recorded. The animal spent an averag e of 87.1 (SE = 0.6)% of the time submerged, with a mean dive duration of 25.8 (SE = 0.5) sec. Mean dive duration differed significantly bet ween four periods of the day, as did the mean percent of time spent su bmerged. During the early morning the animal spent more time at the su rface, averaged shorter dives, and was submerged less than other times of day. This is the first study to demonstrate diel dive cycles in a bottlenose dolphin. Four months after tag loss, the dolphin was photog raphed with no evidence of necrosis or disfigurement of the dorsal fin . Satellite telemetry was demonstrated as an effective means of docume nting the movements and dive behavior of a small inshore cetacean.