Long Distance Movements of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins and other species of Bottlenose Dolphins

Summary:
      This study was performed in order to find out the paterns of migration of Bottlenose dolphins in the Oita region, where they came from, and their range. This study took place in Kyushu, Japan, in     Western Japan.
     First, the crew interviewed locals to find where there were sitings of dolphins so they had areas where they could begin to look for pods. Then they set off and looked for dolphins themselves. Some used just their eyes and others used binoculars to look for the dolphins. The crew could tell the difference between  common Bottlenose dolphins and Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins by their dorsal fins. The crew followed and tracked these different pods and species of dolphins.
     They found Indo-Pacific dolphins in Tsukumi Bay which was 2 kilometers west from where they were first sited. Then the group was observed going southwest along the coast. Two groups of Common Bottlenosed dolphins were sighted. One group was traveling east from Tsukumi Bay.The second group was found in Usuki Bay. The Common Bottlenosed dolphins were found in deep sea water whereas the Indo-Pacific Bottlenosed were found in shallow waters.
    The Indo-Pacific Bottlenosed dolphins were first sighted in the Oita area. The crew also found two groups of Common Bottlenosed dolphins and tracked them for two years in areas that Indo-Pacific dolphins inhabited as well. However, the Common Bottlenosed inhabited deeper depths than the Indo-Pacific. The Indo-Pacific dolphins could be found within a small area and very easily. They had a distinct migratory pattern. Common dolphins are found in a wider range of areas in temperate, tropical marine areas.

Evaluate:
    The purpose of this report on the migration and range of dolphins, was to explain what the study was, how they cinducted the study and what they found as results. This report was written to inform the audience of what occured during the experiment and what was found.
     The audience for this  report for a low-tech audience. The vocabulary was not complicated but there were no definitions. Some of the terminology could have been unclear to a lay audience. The report discusses locations, anatomy, and bodies of water that might be unclear to a lay audience. This report was not written at a fourth grade level.
     The organization was formated well. The report had headings for the introduction, methods and tools, results, and discussion. It also had subheadings further describing the data and observations the crew made. The report also had graphics and tables that neatly organized the data that was found.
     This report was easy to read, clear, and accurate. The report was also ethical. Overall, the report clearly told the audience what the study was, what they did, and what the results were.

Work Cited

Shirakihara, M., Shirakihara, K., Nishiyama, M., Iida, T., & Amano, M. (2012). Long-Distance Movements of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) and Habitat Preference of Two Species of Bottlenose Dolphins in Eastern Kyushu, Japan. Aquatic Mammals, 38(2), 145-152. doi:10.1578/AM.38.2.2012.145