Archipelagos

  • English
  • Ελληνικα
Who We Are
The TeamThe Team
Research BasesResearch Bases
Research BoatsResearch Boats
Our EquipmentOur Equipment
PartnersPartners
SupportersSupporters
Fields of Action
Marine ConservationMarine Conservation Fisheries Shipping Risks Seagrass Meadows Coralligene Conservation Littoral Ecosystems Invasive Species Jellyfish Sea Turtles
Marine MammalsMarine Mammals Dolphins and Porpoises Whales Seals
Terrestrial ConservationTerrestrial Conservation Island Fauna Forests & Flora Freshwater Ecosystems Aegean Seed Bank
Laboratory ResearchLaboratory Research Microplastics Water Analysis Soil Quality
Projects
Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary
Eco-Navigation
FIsh4Life
Save the Aegean
Join Us
Internships in the Aegean
Remote Internships
Interns Experiences
Field Courses
News
Mass stranding of 12 Cuvier’s beaked whale on the North-West coast of Cyprus
Mass stranding of 12 Cuvier’s beaked whale on the North-West coast of Cyprus
Tragedy in Turkey and Syria
Tragedy in Turkey and Syria
Interactive Activities for the Protection of the Sea
Interactive Activities for the Protection of the Sea
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
View All...
Contact us
Publications
Videos
Awareness Material
Donate
Menu

Photo Identification – An invaluable tool in cetacean research

Photo Identification – An invaluable tool in cetacean research

by Ambrosine Clark / Sunday, 01 August 2021 / Published in Intern Experience, Marine Mammal Team, Work Journal

Photo identification (Photo ID) is a method used within marine mammal research to identify individuals based on photographs. The identification of dolphins is done via the characteristics of their dorsal fins because these are as unique to each dolphin as fingerprints are to humans. The characteristics found on dorsal fins include scars, notches and variable pigmentation. The study of photo ID enables researchers to obtain longitudinal information regarding the distribution of the species, whilst estimates about the age and population size can be made.

One of the main methods to identify dolphins is by looking at the scars, notches and variable pigmentation found on their dorsal fins

 

Archipelagos’ Marine Mammal team conducts photo ID research on a range of cetaceans, such as the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) and the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba).

Our research team collecting photo identification data during a sighting

 

To collect the relevant data, our team takes high-quality pictures of each individual (dolphins or whales) observed during boat surveys. Once the team is back at the base, the photo ID process can start. To begin with, only the pictures with a clear view of the dorsal fin are selected (the best pictures are the ones taken from a 90 degree angle with a good focus and contrast). These pictures are then matched with each other to establish how many individual dolphins were seen during each sighting on that day – a process called “internal matching”. The second part of photo ID processing, “external matching”, involves matching the newly encountered dolphins with photos from our catalogue. A photo ID catalogue consists of dolphin individuals that have previously been observed and identified, and is regularly updated when new individuals are encountered (i.e. dorsal fins that do not match any photo in the catalogue). Recently identified individuals are given a unique ID code representing how well marked their fin is and in what year it was observed. Archipelagos’ catalogue contains photos of dolphins for almost 2 decades, allowing us to track long-term dolphin movements, habitat distribution and population dynamics.

Archipelagos’ photo-ID catalog allows us to match dolphin individuals seen from 2015 until present. For example, this individual has been re-sighted on three separate occasions

 

By 

Rob Hyman, MSc. Biology at the University of York, U.K;. 

Gaël Gognies, MSc. Agronomy and Environmental Sciences at the University of Lorraie, France;

Patrizia Baldi, BSc. Hons Wildlife Conservartion at Nottingham Trent University, U.K.

0
0
0
0
0

What you can read next

Jackal Research Project at Samos International Airport, Summer 2017
Applying Varied Skills – creative and scientific – to an Internship with Archipelagos
Research on the Golden Jackal of Samos

HIGHLIGHTS

  • International Visitors at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary Project

    International Visitors at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary Project

    1 June 2021
    At Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation an important visit took …
  • The Efkranti Award was Granted to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

    The Efkranti Award was Granted to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

    27 July 2020
    It was a great honor but also great moral support …
  • The President of the Hellenic Republic’s visit to Archipelagos research vessel, the Aegean Explorer

    The President of the Hellenic Republic’s visit to Archipelagos research vessel, the Aegean Explorer

    30 June 2020
    Yesterday, during the President of the Republic’s visit to the …
  • Award to Archipelagos: Best Heroic Act of Environmental Stewardship

    Award to Archipelagos: Best Heroic Act of Environmental Stewardship

    19 February 2020
    The Short Documentary Film presenting the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary, …
  • Award to Archipelagos Institute from the International Propeller Club of the United States

    Award to Archipelagos Institute from the International Propeller Club of the United States

    6 February 2020
    We would like to thank the International Propeller Club of …

Recent Posts

  • Mass stranding of 12 Cuvier’s beaked whale on the North-West coast of Cyprus

    Mass stranding of 12 Cuvier’s beaked whale on the North-West coast of Cyprus

    15 February 2023
    Twelve Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) have been found stranded, …
  • Tragedy in Turkey and Syria

    Tragedy in Turkey and Syria

    15 February 2023
    Our past week of silence across social media amounts to …
  • Interactive Activities for the Protection of the Sea

    Interactive Activities for the Protection of the Sea

    23 December 2022
    Before the closing of schools for Christmas break, students from …
  • Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

    Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

    20 December 2022
    Cuvier’s Beaked Whale in the waters of the North Aegean …
  • From dawn in the open sea

    From dawn in the open sea

    8 December 2022
    From dawn in the open sea, having 2-3 hours until …
  • Archipelagos in the 8th Meeting of the Members of ACCOBAMS

    Archipelagos in the 8th Meeting of the Members of ACCOBAMS

    2 December 2022
    The 8th meeting of the members of ACCOBAMS (Agreement for …
  • The International School of the Sea – Action Continues during the Winter Months

    The International School of the Sea – Action Continues during the Winter Months

    1 December 2022
    As winter is approaching, Archipelagos’ International School of the Sea …

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is committed to researching and defending the biodiversity of the Greek seas and islands.

Our action is possible only with your help!

donate
  • Contact us
  • Placements

Archipelagos - Institute of Marine Conservation © All Rights Reserved || Web Design and Development by Red Web Design & Fekas Brothers

TOP