The Franciscana Dolphin: On the Edge of Survival

Front cover
	Half title
	Full title
	Copyright
	Dedication
Contents
Contributors
Preface
Chapter 1 - Taxonomy, skeletal morphology, and evolutionary history
	Taxonomy
	Skeleton
		Skull, mandible, and hyoid apparatus
		Vertebral column, ribs, and sternum
		Scapula, forelimbs, and pelvic bones
	Morphology associated with echolocation
	Fossils and evolutionary history
	References
Chapter 2 - Overview of franciscana diet
	Introduction
	Materials and methods
		Data collection for meta-analysis
		Stomach content analysis
		Stable isotope data
	Results and discussion
		A brief history of franciscana diet
		Prey ecological overview
		Spatial dietary variation
		Temporal dietary variation
		Final considerations
	References
Chapter 3 - Macroparasites of franciscana: what can their coexistence say to conservationists?
	Overview
		Historical studies
	Parasite diversity
		Host particularities
		Ectoparasites and other arthropods
		Endoparasites
			Nematodes (roundworms)
			Trematodes (flukes)
			Acanthocephala (thorny head worms)
			Cestoda
			Less common parasites
	Main factors influencing infection
	Parasites as biological tags and biogeographical distribution of parasite infections in franciscana
	Methodological recommendations
	Conclusion and general recommendations
	Acknowledgment
	References
Chapter 4 - Pathologies and diseases
	Respiratory diseases
	Gastrointestinal diseases
	Liver diseases
	Renal diseases
	Lymphoid system diseases
	Musculoskeletal diseases
	Systemic diseases
	Further considerations
	References
Chapter 5 - The life history of franciscana dolphins
	Introduction
	Age, growth, and sexual dimorphism
		Age and growth
		Size at birth
		Sexual size dimorphism
	Franciscana reproductive cycle
		Ovulation time, characteristics, and conception
		Gestation length
		Birth period
		Lactation period
	Population reproductive parameters
		Sexual maturity
		Pregnancy rate and calving interval
	Longevity and senescence
	Survival
	Franciscana mating system: assembling a complex puzzle
	Perspectives
	References
Chapter 6 - Genetic diversity, population structure, and phylogeography
	Introduction
	Genetic diversity and molecular markers
	Population genetics and phylogeography
		The phylogeography of franciscanas
	Population structure
		Philopatry and its relevance to population structure
	How population structure can assist in the conservation of franciscanas
	References
Chapter 7 - Abundance estimates of franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei): a review and future recommendations
	Introduction
	Early years
	Methodological improvements and computation of correction factors
	Franciscana abundance estimates
		FMA Ia
		FMA Ib
		FMA II
		FMA III
		FMA IV
	Conclusion and recommendations
	References
Chapter 8 - Behavior and movement patterns of franciscana dolphins
	Introduction
		Group composition and behavior
		Mating system
		Surface behavior
		Dive behavior
		Feeding behavior
		Interspecific interactions
		Predators
		Reaction to boats and aircraft
		Movement patterns and site fidelity
			Monitoring the movement of tagged individuals
			Movements relative to tides
			Diel patterns
		Implications for the conservation of the species
	References
Chapter 9 - Acoustic repertoire and bioacoustics applications
	Introduction
	Acoustic repertoire description
		Echolocation
		Communication (burst pulses and whistles)
		Ontogenetic development
		Evolutionary context
		Considerations for future acoustic research
		Bioacoustics applications for conservation
			Passive acoustic monitoring
			Static hydrophones
			Towed arrays
	Prospect for abundance estimates
	Acoustic recognition of calves
	Conservation and anthropogenic underwater noise
	References
Chapter 10 - Is the franciscana bycatch in gillnet fisheries sustainable?
	Introduction
		Bycatch as a global conservation concern
	The franciscana bycatch
		Uruguay
		Brazil
		Argentina
	Assessment of bycatch and conservation status
	Potential mitigation options
	Conservation perspectives
	Concluding remarks and recommendations
	Acknowledgments
	References
Chapter 11 - Chemical pollution and franciscana—a review
	Organic compounds
		Organochlorine contaminants
		Organobromine contaminants
		Other organic pollutants
			Trace elements
		Long-term effects to franciscana dolphin dolphins’ conservation in FMA Ia
	Conservation implications
	References
Chapter 12 - Coastal development and habitat loss: understanding and resolving associated threats to the franciscana, Pon ...
	Introduction
	Franciscana management areas (FMAs) and coastal impacts
		Franciscana management area I
		Franciscana management area II
		Franciscana management area III
		Franciscana management area IV
	General threats of coastal development
		Depletion of prey by regional fisheries
		Noise pollution
		Vessel collisions
		Chemical contaminants
		Marine debris
		Climate change
		Pathogens and diseases
	Cumulative effects, risk assessment, and management in coastal areas
	Conclusion and future actions
	References
Chapter 13 - Long-term patterns of franciscana strandings throughout its distribution
	Introduction
	Material and methods
		Study area
		Data collection
			Brazil
			Uruguay
			Argentina
		Analysis
	Results and discussion
		Distribution of the strandings
		Temporal distribution of the strandings
		Characterization of the individuals
		Live strandings
	Final considerations
	Acknowledgments
	References
Chapter 14 - Rehabilitation of stranded specimens
	Introduction
	Strandings
	Rescue and transport
	Clinical evaluation and first aid
	Rehabilitation
	Nutrition
	Drugs and routes of administration
	Release
	Zoonotic considerations
	Final considerations
	References
Chapter 15 - Alternative fishing methods, the potential use of “pingers,” and other solutions to reduce the bycatch of fra ...
	Acoustic deterrent devices (Pingers)
	Modified fishing gear
	Alternative fishing gear
	Considerations for franciscana bycatch mitigation strategies
	References
Chapter 16 - Gillnet fishing characteristics in Franciscana Management Areas
	Introduction
	Gillnet fisheries definition
	Production and monitoring of gillnet fishing
	Gillnet fishing characterization based on interviews
		Artisanal fishing
		Industrial fishing
	Means of production and wages in gillnet fishing
	Environmental vulnerability
	Conflicts
	Concluding remarks
	References
Chapter 17 - Ethnoecological approaches and fishermen perception
	Artisanal fishermen and traditional knowledge
	The ethnoecology of the franciscana dolphin
	Conservationist aspects
	References
Chapter 18 - Marine protected areas: Their potential for the conservation of the franciscana
	Introduction
		MPAs as a management tool
		MPAs as a tool to protect marine mammals
	Primary source and analyses of MPAs across the franciscana distribution
	Existing MPAs along the franciscana distribution
	Management of MPAs along the franciscana distribution
	MPAs of franciscana and the marine ecoregions of the world (MEOWs)
	MPAs across the franciscana management areas (FMAs)
		Potential population size of franciscana protected within the MPAs
		Other potential benefits of MPAs for franciscana
	Future perspectives and recommendations
	Acknowledgments
	[Annex 18.I]
	References
Chapter 19 - International and regional agreements, national legislation, and public policies
	Introduction
	Legal framework
		International agreements
		UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
		UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
		UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
		UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS)
		UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
		International Whaling Commission (IWC)
		International Union for the Conservation Nature (IUCN)
	Regional Agreements
		Treaty of the Río de la Plata and its Maritime Front
	National agreements and public policies
		Argentina
		Brazil
		Uruguay
		Role of public campaigns and education
	Future challenges
	References
Index
	Back cover