Red Tides Influence Juvenile Dolphin Behavior

from Sarasota Dolphin Research Program by Blair Irvine

 Social behavior, activity budgets and ranging behavior of juvenile bottlenose dolphins change during red tides.

They spend less time alone, and they associate in larger, less stable groups, that include a greater diversity of companions.

Harmful algae blooms, called red tides in Florida contain neurotoxins which impact prey fish abundance  and potentially dolphin health.
New research by the SDRP’s Dr. Katherine McHugh and other SDRP staff documents the impact of red tide on juvenile dolphin behavior.


While more research is needed to understand the relationship, the researchers thinkthat the dolphins are responding to changes in prey fish caused by red tides.
For instance, prey fish species declined 57 to more than 90% during red tide blooms in 2005 and 2006.

Researchers speculate that the changed behaviors resulted from a dietary change towards schooling fish that were minimally impacted by red tide, and thus became relatively more abundant.
The abstract for the research article is included below. A copy may be obtained from the author (kmchugh@mote.org) or the publisher.
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