IS THE NORTHERN-CENTRAL COAST OF VERACRUZ, MEXICO AN IMPORTANT AREA FOR BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (Tursiops truncatus Montagu, 1821)?

The northern and central coasts of the state of Veracruz are inhabited by a great variety of organisms due to its high primary productivity. The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus Montagu, 1821) is one of the most charismatic species of this area. The purpose of this study was to determine the density and abundance of bottlenose dolphins on the northern and central coasts of Veracruz. The study area was subdivided into three zones, each housing a bottlenose dolphin population: Tamiahua, Tuxpan and Nautla. Distance sampling methodology was used to estimate dolphin density and abundance. In total, 89 surveys were conducted, totalizing 392.5 h of survey effort and an area sampled of 7,430 km super(2). Dolphins were sighted during 59 surveys, and of the 950 animals observed, 532 were determined to be unique individuals based on photo-identification. The abundance estimated for the entire study area is 2,632 dolphins (CV= 10.37%), with a density of 0.35 dolphin/km super(2) (CV= 10.37%), and density group of 0.35 group/km super(2) (CV= 10.37%). The results indicate that even though the study area is small it supports a larger density of bottlenose dolphins than the surrounding waters and may represent an important bottlenose dolphin conservation area in the Gulf of Mexico.Original Abstract: Las costas del norte y centro del estado de Veracruz son habitadas por una gran variedad de organismos debido a su alta productividad primaria. El delfin nariz de botella (Tursiops truncatus Montagu, 1821) es una de las especies mas carismaticas del area. El proposito de este estudio fue determinar la densidad y la abundancia de delfines nariz de botella en las costas norte y centro de Veracruz. El area de estudio se subdividio en tres zonas, cada una albergando una poblacion de delfines nariz de botella: Tamiahua, Tuxpan y Nautla. La metodologia de muestreo a distancia fue utilizada para estimar la densidad y abundancia de delfines. En total se hicieron 89 censos, teniendo un total 392.5 h de esfuerzo y se muestreo un area de 7,430 km super(2). Los delfines fueron observados en 59 censos y se observaron 950 animales de los cuales se determino por medio de la foto identificacion que 532 animales eran individuos unicos. La abundancia de delfines estimada para toda el area de estudio es de 2,632 delfines (CV= 10.37%), con una densidad de 0.35 delfines/km super(2) (CV= 10.37%) y una densidad de grupo de 0.35 grupos/km super(2) (CV= 10.37%). Los resultados muestran que a pesa