Abstract
In midwinter dugongs concentrate in western Shark Bay, adjacent to Dirk Hartog I., although scattered
individuals or groups remain in other regions. Up to 496 dugongs were counted in intensively surveyed
western areas in July 1979. At least 553 individuals are calculated to have been present in the region,
and a minimum population of over 900 individuals estimated for the Bay as a whole. The population
seems to be a well defined isolate, and is relatively undisturbed. Conditions are very favourable for
more detailed study.
A method for estimating the number of animals overlooked in the blind zone directly beneath the
aircraft is described. Aerial counts of dugongs varied greatly with conditions. Cloud cover had a large
depressing effect: surface turbulence and subsurface turbidity were less significant.
Dugong activity is concentrated on the sublittoral platform. Sites of major aggregation may not
be the same in successive years. Locally favoured habitats are at the seaward margins of the sublittoral
platform, and on offshore shoals. Vegetation patterns at favoured sites may reflect dugong grazing.
Persistent use of favoured localities, and local shifts in concentration were observed. Distribution of
other large vertebrates, and of boats, relative to that of dugongs was examined and a significant correlation
between sightings of large sharks and larger aggregations of dugongs was found. Analysis of
dispersion revealed that most dugongs were in groups although most sightings were of single individuals.
Cows with calves were less likely to be in the company of other dugongs than were adults without
calves. From ll to 12% of individuals were calves.
Subject
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cited by
18 articles.
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