Biopsy Samples

A significant part of Dr. Jefferson's study on bottlenose dolphins involves obtaining and analyzing biopsy samples. Although the cross bow looks menacing, his previous work in Hong Kong has proven it to not cause any sinificant harm to the animal. A great deal of information can be learned from either the skin or blubber of the animal. The blubber can reveal pregnancy, stress, prey identity (fatty acids of species) and contaminants. The skin is used for DNA tests. The DNA can be evaluated to show taxonomy or relationships of the individual to others. Hitting the animal with the dart is very challenging! Each shot is recorded (hit/miss), reaction of the animal (tail swish, fluke slap, breach), GPS, species and beaufort (condition of the water surface). Two biopsy samples were collected in the field today.