filed in a working catalog used for initial searching for matches. A duplicate catalog 

 made from color photocopies of the color prints is maintained off-site as a backup 

 copy. We maintain three photo-ID catalogs that represent our different study areas: 

 the Sarasota Bay region, Charlotte Harbor, and Tampa Bay and the inshore waters of 

 the Gulf of Mexico. The catalog used for these analyses is a subset of a larger catalog 

 incorporating dolphins sighted outside of the limited Charlotte Harbor region 

 considered for this report. All catalogs are ultimately searched before an addition is 

 made to the appropriate catalog. 



The photo-ID catalog for the 1990 - 1994 surveys included 16 dolphins first 

 identified from the Charlotte Harbor study area during 1982 through 1989. We 

 collaborated with Dr. Susan Shane in examination of 272 identification photographs 

 taken by her in Pine Island Sound during her behavioral studies (Shane 1987, 

 1990a, b). Examination of these photographs resulted in 24 matches with animals in 

 our identification catalogs for all areas, including 12 matches with our Charlotte 

 Harbor catalog. As of September 1995, there were 2,247 dolphins (1,870 distinctive 

 non-calves) in the DBRI photo-ID catalogs for all study areas, including Charlotte 

 Harbor. 



Analysis of Photographs 



Photographic slides are labeled with information from the corresponding 

 sighting: date, film roll number, sighting number, and location code. Labeled slides 

 are filed chronologically in archival-quality storage pages in binders. Comments 

 from sighting data sheets are read for clues and additional information to assist in 

 identification of animals (for example, distinctive features noted in the field, or 

 features distinguishing between two similar animals). Each slide is examined using 

 a 15-power lupe eyepiece to find all distinctive dolphins. Slides are sorted by each 

 identifiable individual within a sighting and the best-quality slides of each animal 

 showing the distinctive features of the fin are selected to compare with the photo-ID 

 catalog. 



The most prominent feature of the fin is identified and the category that best 

 describes that feature is searched for a potential match. Matches are often made by 

 comparing the slide directly to the print in the catalog. However, with a close match 

 or to distinguish between fins with similar features, the original slide is used for 

 comparison. To verify a match between similar fins, both fins are projected using a 

 slide projector with a zoom lens and traced to line up distinguishing features. To 

 confirm long-term, long-distance, or difficult matches, three experienced photo-ID 

 researchers examine the potential matches and must vote unanimously on the final 

 match. When a match is made with a fin in our catalog, all slides are labeled with 

 the dolphin's unique 4-character code and its name, and the dolphin is scored as a 

 positive identification. 



When a match is not found in the first category searched, all other possible 

 categories are searched to account for dolphins that have multiple identifying 

 characteristics. The entire catalog is searched before a new animal is added to the 



