Carla Patulny

Honours project title: Social structure of Bottlenose Dolphins in the Clarence River Estuary

Principal supervisor: Peter Harrison

Co-supervisor: Daniele Cagnazzi

Research summary:

I graduated with a Bachelor of Marine Science and Management from Southern Cross University in 2017. I am currently working on an Honours project which focuses on Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in the Clarence River Estuary, NSW. The objectives of the study are to:

• Examine the social structure of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins in the Clarence River estuary
• Explore sexual segregation patterns of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins in the Clarence River, potential causative factors, and the influence segregation has on habitat use