The intricate relationships between all species and their surrounding environments are undeniable. As marine environments face rapid transformation due to anthropogenic pressure, studying the interplay between the environment and its inhabitants is crucial.
In my research, I am primarily interested in investigating the behavioural adaptations of wild animals within their native habitats. A prime example of this dynamic interplay can be observed in the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) inhabiting Shark Bay.
Shark Bay presents a unique seascape, characterised by a mosaic of different habitat types, including seagrass beds, sandy patches in shallower waters, and deep sandy channels. The bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay are renowned for their habitat-dependent, versatile foraging techniques, including tool usage involving sponges and shells.
However, characterising marine habitats proves challenging and there remains a significant knowledge gap regarding the specific habitat components factors leading to behavioural variations. As part of my PhD project, my primary objective is to comprehensively characterise the habitat of bottlenose dolphins, with a particular focus on both abiotic (e.g., depth profile, salinity, substrate type) and biotic factors, including the distribution of prey (fish) and predators (sharks).
An exciting avenue for this research lies in the combination of remote sensing and environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques. eDNA samples comprise genetic material left behind by organisms inhabiting an environment. Analysing these traces allows us to investigate fish biodiversity across different habitats. Combined with remote sensing data, we can model the occurrences of prey and predators, aiding in the understanding of the factors driving behavioural variation in bottlenose dolphins.
Understanding these critical habitat components is important for the conservation of this population. By unravelling the intricate relationships between dolphins and their environment, we can better inform conservation strategies to safeguard these species and their habitats.
