Dolphins: Field Identification, the Evolution of Cetaceans and the NMMP (Draft #1)

This topic submitted by Meghan Ruppel ( ruppelme@muohio.edu) at 11:25 AM on 4/14/09.

We are on our way to Gaulin Reef in Grahams Harbor, San Salvador, Bahamas. See other beautiful phenomena from the Bahamas.

Tropical Field Courses -Western Program-Miami University


The final paper will be an extension of the course work I did last year. It will include specific descriptions of the dolphins found in the coastal Florida and Bahamas regions, as well as a guide for field identification. Also included will be information about the evolution of cetaceans from land mammals to marine mammals and current modes of communication will be discussed. Finally, updated information on any strandings and use by the U.S. Navy will be provided to link this topic to the specific region of the Islands of the Bahamas.

Dolphins in the Coastal Bahamas/Florida

I. Types of Dolphins native to the Bahamas/Key Largo area
A. Rough-Toothed Dolphin (Steno bredanensis)
1. Physical Description
2. Field Identification
B. FraserÕs, or Sarawak, Dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei)
1. Physical Description
2. Field Identification
C. Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
1. Physical Description
2. Field Identification
D. Atlantic-Spotted Dolphin (Stenella plagiodon)
1. Physical Description
2. Field Identification
E. Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleolba)
1. Physical Description
2. Field Identification
F. Spinner Dolphin, Tropical Atlantic Ocean Form (Stenella longirostris) [Sylvestre]
1. Physical Description
2. Field Identification
G. Clymene Dolphin (Stenella clymene) [Sylvestre]
1. Physical Description
2. Field Identification
H. Bottlenose Dolphin
1. Physical Description
2. Field Identification
I. RissoÕs Dolphin
1. Physical Description
2. Field Identification

II. Evolution of Cetatceans
A. Land mammals
1. How scientists know this
2. Earliest ancestors
a. Pakicetids
b. Remingtonocetids
c. Protocetids
d. Basilosaurids
e. dorudontids
B. Discovery of Ambulocetus
C. Early adaptations
1. Echolocation
2. Whales
3. Dolphins
D. Skeletal evolution

III. Communication
A. Spyhopping
B. Porpoising
C. Whistles, clicks and other noises
D. Body language

IV. Marine Mammals Trained by the U.S. Navy
A. Navy Marine Mammal Program (NMMP)
1. About the program
2. Types of ÒmarksÓ
B. Benefits of the NMMP
1. Research on health of dolphins
2. Biomimetric sonar
C. Mass strandings in Rum Cay, Bahamas
1. Naval sonar development
2. Navy denied accusations


References:

Balcomb, K.C. & Claridge, D.E. (2001) ÒA Mass Stranding of Cetaceans Caused by Naval
Sonar in the Bahamas.Ó Bahamas Journal of Science, 01/05: 2-12.

Cerullo, Mary M. Dolphins: What They Can Teach Us. Dutton ChildrenÕs Books, New York:
1999.

Davies, Nic. Natural World: Dolphins; Habitats, Life Cycles, Food Chains, Threats. Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, Austin and New York: 2000.

Davies, Nicola. Wild About Dolphins. Candlewick Press, Massachusetts: 2001.

Jean, Grace. ÒDolphinÕs Brain Holds Secret to More Sophisticated SonarÓ April 2008.
Navy Marine Mammal Program. (All pages)

Stahl, Dean. Dolphins. The ChildÕs World, Inc., Minnesota: 2001.

Walker, Sally M. Nature Watch: Dolphins. Lerner Publications Company, Minneapolis: 2008.

For Further Info on this Topic, Check out this WWW Site: http://www.bahamaswhales.org/.
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