Identification of Two Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Ecotypes in the Guadeloupe Archipelago, Eastern Caribbean
Résumé
This study examines the intraspecific diversity of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) around Guadeloupe. Using over a decade of photoidentification data, two morphotypes of common bottlenose dolphins were identified in the Guadeloupe archipelago. This study conducted a detailed analysis of their morphological differences, genetic diversity, and habitat preferences. DNA samples from stranded individuals were compared with ecotype-specific sequences from other regions to assess local genetic differentiation, while habitat modeling was applied to identify spatial patterns associated with each morphotype. Based on differences in morphology, genetics, and habitat preferences, the findings demonstrate the presence of two ecotypes in Guadeloupe, corresponding to the coastal and oceanic T. truncatus ecotypes. As a case study, the analysis of exposure to maritime traffic suggests differential risk levels between the two ecotypes. This research underscores the importance of considering ecotype-specific characteristics in marine mammal conservation planning, particularly in the context of a marine protected area dedicated to marine mammal conservation, such as the Agoa Sanctuary.
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