Research
Ionian Dolphin Project
Research
Ionian Dolphin Project
The IDP’s key target marine mammal species are the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus; hereafter referred as bottlenose dolphins), the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), the only pinniped species living in the Mediterranean, and one of the most threatened in the World.
Our research aims primarily to produce sound information, key to develop adequate management strategies aimed at producing effective conservation action. These include accurate population estimates, species distribution patterns and habitat preferences, assessment of population parameters (e.g., survival and reproductive rates) and investigations on behavioural ecology and marine mammal-fisheries interactions.
Sea surveys are conducted from 5.8 and 7 metres long inflatable boats with fibreglass keels, equipped with 100 and 200 HP outboard engines, respectively.
Photoidentification of dolphins and monk seals, based on natural marks in different parts of their bodies, primarily in the dorsal fins in the case of dolphins, allows us to catalogue individuals and obtain information on their abundance, movements, habitat use, social organisation and reproductive success. The behaviour of dolphins is recorded ar regular intervals during long-lasting observations.
New technologies, such as passive acoustic monitoring (soundtraps) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones are also used in our marine mammal research.
Our 30 years of research effort in this part of the Mediterranean would have not been possible without the contribution and efforts of many. Over these three decades, about 100 collaborators, some of them currently leading their own projects and marine conservation organizations, worked enthusiastically to make the IDP the project it is today.
Scientific production
| id | authors | year | title | source | doi | project | type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Politi E., Bearzi M., Notarbartolo di Sciara G., Cussino E., Gnone G | 1992 | Distribution and frequency of cetaceans in the waters adjacent to the Greek Ionian Islands | European Research on Cetaceans 6:75-78. | IDP | Conference | |
| 47 | Politi E., Airoldi S., Notarbartolo di Sciara G | 1994 | A preliminary study of the ecology of cetaceans in the waters adjacent to the Greek Ionian islands | European Research on Cetaceans 8:111-115. | IDP | Conference | |
| 99 | Politi E., Airoldi S., Natoli A | 1997 | Ionian Dolphin Project: uno studio comparativo tra i delfini comuni e i tursiopi nelle acque costiere che circondano l’isola di Kalamos, Grecia ionica | III National Meeting on Cetaceans, Napoli, Italy, 5-6 December 1997. | IDP | Conference | |
| 125 | Politi E | 1998 | Un progetto per i delfini in Mediterraneo | Le Scienze 360:64-69. | IDP | ||
| 126 | Politi, E., Airoldi, S., Natoli, A., Frantzis, A | 1998 | Unexpected prevalence of common dolphins over sympatric bottlenose dolphins in Eastern Ionia Sea inshore waters | Abstracts World Marine Mammal Science Conference, Monaco, 20-24 January 1998. | IDP | Conference |