Sarasota Dolphin Research Program Products

One accepted measure of the productivity of a research program is its record of achievement in providing information to the scientific community, wildlife management agencies, and the public. The following list includes our program's products over the course of the program, including the relevant work of our collaborators from partner institutions. Copies of specific papers can be obtained upon request for the cost of copying and postage, or in some cases as pdf files. They are in reverse chronological order, with most recent publications and activities listed first under each heading:

Doctoral Dissertations—completed

Thayer, V.G.  2007.  Life history parameters and social associations of female bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) off North Carolina, USA. Duke University.

Fire, S. 2007. Effects of Karenia brevis blooms on wild coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Ocean Sciences Dept., University of California, Santa Cruz.

Cook, M.L.H. 2006. Effects of the environment on bottlenose dolphin hearing. University of South Florida.

Houde, M. 2006. Emerging organohalogen contaminants in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). University of Guelph. 312 pp.

Quintana-Rizzo, E. 2006. Group fission-fusion dynamics and communication in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). University of South Florida. 166 pp.

Flores, P.A.C. 2003. Ecology of the marine dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis) in southern Brazil. Ph.D. dissertation. Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul.

Owen, E.C.G. 2003. The reproductive and ecological functions of the pair-bond between allied, adult male bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Ph.D. dissertation, Ocean Sciences Department, University of California, Santa Cruz. 310 pp.

Watwood, S.L. 2003. Whistle use and whistle sharing by allied male bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Ph. D. dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA. 227 pp.

Nowacek, D.P. 1999. Sound use, sequential behavior and ecology of foraging bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Sayigh, L.S. 1992. Development and functions of signature whistles of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Wells, R.S. 1986. Structural aspects of dolphin societies. University of California, Santa Cruz. 234 pp.

Doctoral Dissertations—underway

Balmer, B.  In progress.  Environmental influences on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) community structure and dynamics in the Southeastern United States.  University of North Carolina, Wilmington

Fauquier, D. In progress. Effects of red tide on seabird ecology. Ocean Sciences Dept., University of California, Santa Cruz.

McHugh, K. In progress. Behavior of juvenile bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay. Animal Behavior Group, University of California, Davis.

Meagher, E. In progress. Heat flux and thermoregulation of bottlenose dolphins. University of North Carolina, Wilmington.

Yordy, J. In progress. Characterization of complex organohalogen mixtures in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Medical University of South Carolina.

Mendez, M. In progress. Genetic structure of Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) in Argentina. Columbia University.

Masters Theses—completed

Balmer, B.C.  2007.  Seasonal abundance, site-fidelity, and utilization areas of bottlenose dolphins in St. Joseph Bay, Florida. M.Sc., University of North Carolina, Wilmington.

Fuhs, V.S.  2007.  Spatial relationships of spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) mother-calf pairs, Island of Hawaii. M.Sc. thesis.  Western Illinois University.  37 pp.

Esch, C. 2006. Whistles as potential indicators of stress in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). University of North Carolina, Wilmington.

Bryan, C.E. 2006. Non-lethal monitoring of trace elements in bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. College of Charleston. 171 pp.

Barbieri, M. 2005. Physiological and behavioral thermoregulation in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota, Florida. M.Sc. thesis. University of North Carolina, Wilmington. 69 pp.

Klatsky, L.J. 2004. Movement and dive behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) near the Bermuda Pedestal. MSc. thesis, San Diego State University.

Buckstaff, K.C. 2003. Effects of watercraft noise on the acoustic behavior of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay, Florida. M.Sc. thesis, University of California, Santa Cruz. 37 pp.

Weiss, J. 2003. Importance of matrilines in the transmission of foraging specializations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) within Sarasota Bay, Florida. Duke University.

Sellas, A. B. 2002. Population structure and group relatedness of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the coastal Gulf of Mexico using mitochondrial DNA and nuclear microsatellite markers. M. Sc. Thesis, University of California, Santa Cruz.

Urian, K.W. 2002. Community structure of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. M.Sc. thesis, University of North Carolina, Wilmington. 26 pp.

Meagher, E. M. 2001. Respiration, heart rate and heat flux across the dorsal fin in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. M.Sc. thesis, University of North Carolina, Wilmington. 44 pp.

Owen, C.F.W. 2001. A comparison of maternal care by primiparous and multiparous bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus: Does parenting improve with experience? University of California, Santa Cruz.

Fazioli, K.L. 1999. Distribution, relative abundance, and community structure of coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Gulf of Mexico off Sarasota, Florida. University of California, Santa Cruz.

Nowacek, S.M. 1999. The effects of boat traffic on bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay, Florida. University of California, Santa Cruz.

Quintana-Rizzo, E. 1999. Associations and habitat use of resident and non-resident bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu 1821), in the Cedar Keys, Florida: Insights into social organization. University of Florida.

Kü;ss, K.M. 1998. The occurrence of PCBs and chlorinated pesticide contaminants in bottlenose dolphins in a resident community: Comparison with age, gender and birth order. Nova Southeastern University.

Moors, T.L. 1997. Is 'menage a trois' important in dolphin mating systems? Behavioral patterns of breeding female bottlenose dolphins. University of California, Santa Cruz.

Vedder, J. 1996. Levels of organochlorine contaminants in milk relative to health of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota, Florida. University of California, Santa Cruz.

Driscoll-Lind, A. 1995. The whistles of Hawai'ian spinner dolphins. M.Sc. thesis, University of California, Santa Cruz. 82 pp.

Waples, D.M. 1995. Activity budgets of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay. University of California, Santa Cruz.

Bassos, M.K. 1993. A behavioral assessment of the reintroduction of two bottlenose dolphins. University of California, Santa Cruz.

Wells, R.S. 1978. Home range characteristics and group composition of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, on the west coast of Florida. University of Florida.

Masters Theses—underway

Monaco, L. In progress. Defining success for cetacean rehabilitation. Western Illinois University.

Miller, L. In progress. Evaluation of conservation messages from captive dolphin programs. University of Southern Mississippi.

Powell, J.  In progress.  Depredation and fishing interactions involving bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL.

Books

Reynolds, J.E., III, and R.S. Wells. 2003. Dolphins, Whales, and Manatees of Florida: A Guide to Sharing Their World. University Press of Florida.

Pringle, L. and R.S. Wells. 2002. Dolphin Man: Exploring the World of Dolphins. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press. 42 pp. (revised and reprinted from 1995 volume)

Reynolds, J.E. III, R.S. Wells and S.D. Eide. 2000. The Bottlenose Dolphin: Biology and Conservation. University Press of Florida. 289 pp.

Pringle, L. and R.S. Wells. 1995. Dolphin Man: Exploring the World of Dolphins. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 42 pp.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles and Book Chapters

Bryan C.E., S.J. Christopher, B.C. Balmer, and R.S. Wells.  2007.  Establishing baseline levels of trace elements in blood and skin of bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida: implications for non-invasive monitoring. Science of the Total Environment 388:325-342.

Fire, S.E., D. Fauquier, L.J. Flewelling, M. Henry, J. Naar, R. Pierce, and R.S. Wells.  2007.  Brevetoxin exposure in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) associated with Karenia brevis blooms in Sarasota Bay, Florida.  Marine Biology 152:827-834.

Gannon, D.P. 2007. Acoustic behavior of Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus  (Sciaenidae).  Copeia2007(1):186–192

Hall, A.J., R.S. Wells, J.C. Sweeney, F.I. Townsend, B.C. Balmer, A.A. Hohn, and H.L. Rhinehart.  2007.  Annual, seasonal and individual variation in hematology and clinical blood chemistry profiles in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota Bay, Florida.  Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A 148:266-277.

Klatsky, L.J., R.S. Wells, and J.C. Sweeney.  2007.  Offshore bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): movement and dive behavior near the Bermuda Pedestal.  Journal of Mammalogy 88:59-66.

Moore, M.M., G. Early, K. Touhey, S. Barco, F. Gulland, and R. Wells.  2007.  Rehabilitation of marine mammals in the United States: risks and benefits.  Marine Mammal Science 23:731-750.

Westgate, A.J., W.A. McLellan, R.S. Wells, M.D. Scott, E.M. Meagher, and D.A. Pabst.  2007.  A new device to remotely measure heat flux and skin temperature from free-swimming dolphins. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 346:45-59.

Buck, J.D., R.S. Wells, H.L. Rhinehart, and L. J. Hansen. 2006. Aerobic microorganisms associated with free-ranging bottlenose dolphins in coastal Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean waters. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 42:536-544.

Cunningham-Smith, P., D.E. Colbert, R.S. Wells, and T. Speakman. 2006. Evaluation of human interactions with a wild bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) near Sarasota Bay, Florida, and efforts to curtail the interactions. Aquatic Mammals 32:346-356.

Fazioli, K.L., S. Hofmann, and R.S. Wells. 2006. Use of coastal Gulf of Mexico waters by distinct assemblages of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Aquatic Mammals 32:212-222.

Hall, A.J., B.J. McConnell, T.K. Rowles, A. Aguilar, A. Borrell, L. Schwacke, P.J.H. Reijnders, and R.S. Wells. 2006. An individual based model framework to assess the population consequences of polychlorinated biphenyl exposure in bottlenose dolphins. Environmental Health Perspectives. 114 (suppl.1): 60-64.

Houde, M, B.C. Balmer, S. Brandsma, R.S. Wells, T.K. Rowles, K.R. Solomon, and D.C.G. Muir. 2006. Perfluorinated alkyl compounds in relation with life-history and reproductive parameters in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota Bay, Florida, USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 25:2405-2412.

Janik, V., L.S. Sayigh, and R.S. Wells. 2006. Signature whistle shape conveys identity information to bottlenose dolphins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 103:8293-8297.

Quintana-Rizzo, E., D.A. Mann, and R.S. Wells. 2006. Estimated communication range of social sounds used by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 120:1671-1683.

Ramcharitar, J., D.P. Gannon, and A.N. Popper. 2006. Review of the bioacoustics of the family Sciaenidae (croakers and drumfishes). Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135:1409-1431.

Fripp, D., C. Owen, E. Quintana-Rizzo, A. Shapiro, K. Buckstaff, K. Jankowski, R.S. Wells, and P. Tyack. 2005. Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) calves appear to model their signature whistles on the signature whistles of community members. Animal Cognition 8:17-26.

Gannon, D.P., N.B. Barros, D.P. Nowacek, A.J. Read, D.M. Waples, and R.S. Wells. 2005. Prey detection by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): an experimental test of the passive-listening hypothesis. Animal Behavior 69:709-720.

Houde, M., Wells, R.S., Fair, P.A., Bossart, G.D. Hohn, A.A., Rowles, T.K., Sweeney, J.C., Solomon, K.R., Muir, D.C.G. 2005. Polyfluorinated alkyl compounds in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Environmental Science & Technology, 39:6591-6598.

Sellas, A.B., R.S. Wells, and P.E. Rosel. 2005. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses reveal fine scale geographic structure in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Gulf of Mexico. Conservation Genetics.6:715-728.

Tornero, V., A. Borrell, A. Aguilar, R.S. Wells, J. Forcada, T.K. Rowles, and P.J.H. Reijnders. 2005. Effect of organochlorine pollutants and individual biological traits on blubber retinoid concentrations in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Environmental Monitoring 7(2):109-114.

Watwood, S.L., E.C.G. Owen, P.L. Tyack, and R.S. Wells. 2005. Signature whistle use by free-swimming and temporarily restrained bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Animal Behaviour 69:1373-1386.

Wells, R.S., V. Tornero, A. Borrell, A. Aguilar, T.K. Rowles, H.L. Rhinehart, S. Hofmann, W.M. Jarman, A.A. Hohn, and J.C. Sweeney. 2005. Integrating life history and reproductive success data to examine potential relationships with organochlorine compounds for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Science of the Total Environment 349:106-119.

Buckstaff, K.C. 2004. Effects of watercraft noise on the acoustic behavior of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Marine Mammal Science 20:709-725.

Cook, M.L.H., L.S. Sayigh, J.E. Blum, and R.S. Wells. 2004. Signature whistle production in undisturbed free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Proceedings of the Royal Society of London: Biological Sciences, 03PB0428:1-7

Hansen, L.J., L.H. Schwacke, G.B. Mitchum, A.A. Hohn, R.S. Wells, E.S. Zolman, and P.A. Fair. 2004. Geographic variation in polychorinated biphenyl and organochlorine pesticide concentrations in the blubber of bottlenose dolphins from the US Atlantic coast. Science of the Total Environment 319:147-172.

Maresh, J.L., F.E. Fish, D.P. Nowacek, S.M. Nowacek and R.S. Wells. 2004. High performance turning capabilities during foraging by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Marine Mammal Science 20(3):498-509.

Nowacek, S.M., R.S. Wells, D.P. Nowacek, E.C.G. Owen, T.R. Speakman and R.O. Flamm. 2004. Florida manatees, Trichechus manatus latirostris, respond to approaching vessels. Biological Conservation 119:517-523.

Watwood, S.L., P.L. Tyack, and R.S. Wells. 2004. Whistle sharing in paired male bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 55:531-543.

Wells, R.S., H.L. Rhinehart, L.J. Hansen, J.C. Sweeney, F.I. Townsend, R. Stone, D. Casper, M.D. Scott, A.A. Hohn, and T.K. Rowles. 2004. Bottlenose dolphins as marine ecosystem sentinels: Developing a health monitoring system. EcoHealth 1:246-254.

Harper, C.G., M.T. Whary, Y. Fang, H.L. Rhinehart, R.S. Wells, S. Xu, N.S. Taylor, and J.G. Fox. 2003. Comparison of diagnostic techniques for detecting Helicobacter cetorum infection in wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Clinical Microbiology 41:2842-2848.

Nowacek, D.P., B.M. Casper, R.S. Wells, S.M. Nowacek, and D.A. Mann. 2003. Intraspecific and geographic variability of West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus spp.) vocalizations (L). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 114(1):66-69.

Wells, R.S. 2003. Dolphin social complexity: Lessons from long-term study and life history. Pp. 32-56 In: F.B.M. de Waal and P.L. Tyack, eds., Animal Social Complexity: Intelligence, Culture, and Individualized Societies. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

Wells, R.S. 2003. Dolphins (Delphinidae). Pp. 41-58 In: V. Geist, M. Hutchins, and M.C. McDade, eds., Mammals IV, Vol. 15 of Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. The Gale Group, Farmington Hills, MI.

Wells, R.S., T.K. Rowles, A. Borrell, A. Aguilar, H.L. Rhinehart, W.M. Jarman, S. Hofmann, A.A. Hohn, D.A.

Duffield, G. Mitchum, J. Stott, A. Hall, and J.C. Sweeney. 2003. Integrating data on life history, health, and reproductive success to examine potential effects of POPs on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Organohalogen Compounds 62:208-211.

Duffield, D.A. and R.S. Wells. 2002. The molecular profile of a resident community of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Pp. 3-11 In: C.J. Pfeiffer, ed., Molecular and Cell Biology of Marine Mammals. Krieger Publishing Company, Melbourne, FL.

Meagher, E.M., W.A. McLellan, A.J. Westgate, R.S. Wells, D. Frierson, Jr., and D.A. Pabst. 2002. The relationship between heat flow and vasculature in the dorsal fin of wild bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Journal of Experimental Biology 205:3475-3486.

Noren, S.R., G. Lacave, R.S. Wells, and T.M. Williams. 2002. The development of blood oxygen stores in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus); Implications for diving capacity. Journal of Zoology 258:105-113.

Owen, E.C.G., S. Hofmann, and R.S. Wells. 2002. Ranging and social association patterns of paired and unpaired adult male bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota, Florida, provide no evidence for alternative male strategies. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 80:2072-2089.

Schwacke, L.H., E.O. Voit, L.J. Hansen, R.S. Wells, G.B. Mitchum, A.A. Hohn, and P.A. Fair. 2002. Probabilistic risk assessment of reproductive effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the southeast United States coast. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 21(12):2752-2764.

Wells, R.S. 2002. Identification methods. Pp.601-608 In: W.F. Perrin, B. Wü;rsig, and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds., Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Academic Press, San Diego, CA.

Wells, R.S. and M.D. Scott. 2002. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus and T. aduncus). Pp. 122-128 In: W.F. Perrin, B. Wü;rsig, and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds., Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Academic Press, San Diego, CA.

Nowacek, D.P., P.L. Tyack, and R.S. Wells. 2001. A platform for continuous behavioral and acoustic observation of free-ranging marine mammals: Overhead video combined with underwater audio. Marine Mammal Science 17:191-199.

Nowacek, S. M., R. S. Wells and A.R. Solow. 2001. Short-term effects of boat traffic on bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Marine Mammal Science 17:673-688.

Quintana-Rizzo, E. and R.S. Wells. 2001. Resighting and association patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Cedar Keys, Florida: insights into social organization. Canadian Journal of Zoology 79:447-456.

Connor, R.C., R.S. Wells, J. Mann and A.J. Read. 2000. The bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops spp: Social relationships in a fission-fusion society. Pp. 91-126 In: J. Mann, R.C. Connor, P.L. Tyack and H. Whitehead, eds., Cetacean Societies: Field Studies of Dolphins and Whales. University of Chicago Press. 433 pp.

Flamm, R. O., E.C.G. Owen, C.F. Weiss, R.S. Wells and D.P. Nowacek. 2000. Aerial videogrammetry from a tethered airship to assess manatee life stage structure. Marine Mammal Science 16(3):617-630.

Ackerman, B. B., T. D. Pitchford, B. L. Weigle, J. E. Reynolds III, R. S. Wells and M. A. Baran. 1999. Marine mammals. Chapter 11. Marine mammals. Pp. 11-1 – 11-11 in J. R. Pribble, A. J. Janicki and H. Greening, eds., Baywide Environmental Monitoring Report, 1993-1998, Tampa Bay, Florida. Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Technical Publication 07-99. St. Petersburg, Florida. July 1999.

Crissey, S.D. and R.S. Wells. 1999. Serum alpha and gamma tocopherols, retinol, retinyl palmitate, and carotenoid concentrations in captive and free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part B, 124:391-396.

Gauthier, J.M., H. Dubeau, E. Rassart, W.M. Jarman and R.S. Wells. 1999. Biomarkers of DNA damage in marine mammals. Mutation Research 444:427-439.

Sayigh, L.S., P.L. Tyack, R.S. Wells, A.R. Solow, M.D. Scott and A.B. Irvine. 1999. Individual recognition in wild bottlenose dolphins: A field test using playback experiments. Animal Behaviour 57:41-50.

Wells, R. S. 1999. Ken Norris: Dolphin society insights. Marine Mammal Science 15:931-932.

Wells, R. S. 1999. Long-term perspectives from research with free-ranging bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Reproduction Workshop Report. European Research on Cetaceans 12:380-382.

Wells, R.S. and M.D. Scott. 1999. Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821). Pp. 137-182 In: S.H. Ridgway and R. Harrison (eds.), Handbook of Marine Mammals, Vol. 6, the Second Book of Dolphins and Porpoises. Academic Press, San Diego, CA. 486 pp.

Wells, R.S., D.J. Boness and G.B. Rathbun. 1999. Behavior. Pp. 324-422 In: J.E. Reynolds, III and S.A. Rommel, (eds.), Biology of Marine Mammals. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. 578 pp.

Wells, R. S., H. L. Rhinehart, P. Cunningham, J. Whaley, M. Baran, C. Koberna and D. P. Costa. 1999. Long-distance offshore movements of bottlenose dolphins. Marine Mammal Science. 15:1098-1114.

Wilson, B., H. Arnold, G. Bearzi, C. M. Fortuna, R. Gaspar, S. Ingram, C. Liret, S. Pribanic, A. J. Read, V. Ridoux, K. Schneider, K.W. Urian, R. S. Wells, C. Wood, P. M. Thompson and P. S. Hammond. 1999. Epidermal diseases in bottlenose dolphins: Impacts of natural and anthropogenic factors. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B. 266(1423):1077-1083.

Barros, N.B. and R.S. Wells. 1998. Prey and feeding patterns of resident bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. J. Mammalogy 79(3):1045-1059.

Nowacek, D.P., P.L. Tyack, R.S. Wells and M.P. Johnson. 1998. An onboard acoustic data logger to record biosonar of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins. J. Acoustical Soc. of America 103:1409-1410.

Wells, R.S., S. Hofmann and T.L. Moors. 1998. Entanglement and mortality of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in recreational fishing gear in Florida. Fish. Bull. 96(3):647-650.

Wells, R.S., K. Bassos-Hull and K.S. Norris. 1998. Experimental return to the wild of two bottlenose dolphins. Marine Mammal Science 14:51-71.

Wells, R.S. and M.D. Scott. 1997. Seasonal incidence of boat strikes on bottlenose dolphins near Sarasota, Florida. Marine Mammal Science 13:475-480.

Bassos, M.K. and R.S. Wells. 1996. Effect of pool size/shape on the behavior of two bottlenose dolphins. Marine Mammal Science, 12:321-324.

Duignan, P.J., C. House, D.K. Odell, R.S. Wells, L.J. Hansen, M.T. Walsh, D.J. St. Aubin, B.K. Rima and J.R. Geraci. 1996. Morbillivirus infection in bottlenose dolphins: Evidence for recurrent epizootics in the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Marine Mammal Science 12:499-515.

St. Aubin, D.J., S.H. Ridgway, R.S. Wells and H. Rhinehart. 1996. Dolphin thyroid and adrenal hormones: circulating levels in wild and semi-domesticated Tursiops truncatus, and influence of sex, age, and season. Marine Mammal Science 12(1):1-13.

Scott, M.D., R.S. Wells and A.B. Irvine. 1996. Long-term studies of bottlenose dolphins in Florida. IBI Reports, 6:73-81. International Marine Biological Research Institute, Kamogawa, Japan.

Urian, K.W., D.A. Duffield, A.J. Read, R.S. Wells and D.D. Shell. 1996. Seasonality of reproduction in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. J. Mammalogy. 77:394-403.

Erickson, K.L., L. DiMolfetto-Landon, R.S. Wells, T. Reidarson, J.L. Stott and D.A. Ferrick. 1995. Development of an interleukin-2 receptor expression assay and its use in evaluation of cellular immune responses in the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. Journal of Wildlife Disease 31(2):142-149.

Lahvis, G.P., R.S. Wells, D.W. Kuehl, J.L. Stewart, H.L. Rhinehart and C.S. Via. 1995. Decreased lymphocyte responses in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are associated with increased concentrations of PCB's and DDT in peripheral blood. Environmental Health Perspectives, 103:67-72.

Mate, B.R., K.A. Rossbach, S.L. Neukirk, R.S. Wells, A.B. Irvine, M.D. Scott and A.J. Read. 1995. Satellite-monitored movements and dive behavior of a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in Tampa Bay, Florida. Marine Mammal Science 11(4):452-463.

Sayigh, L.S., P.L. Tyack, R.S. Wells, M.D. Scott and A.B. Irvine. 1995. Sex difference in signature whistle production of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 36:171-177.

Tolley, K.A., A.J. Read, R.S. Wells, K.W. Urian, M.D. Scott, A.B. Irvine and A.A. Hohn. 1995. Sexual dimorphism in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota, Florida. J. Mammalogy 76(4):1190-1198.

Wells, R.S. and M.D. Scott. 1994. Incidence of gear entanglement for resident inshore bottlenose dolphins near Sarasota, Florida. Page 629 In: W.F. Perrin, G.P. Donovan, and J. Barlow (eds.), Gillnets and Cetaceans, Rep. int. Whal. Commn (Special Issue 15.).

Duffield, D.A., and R.S. Wells. 1993. A discussion on comparative data of wild and oceanarium Tursiops populations. Pp. 28-39In: N.F. Hecker (ed.) Proceedings of the 18th International Marine Animal Trainers Association Conference, November 4-9, 1990, Chicago, IL.

Lahvis, G.P., R.S. Wells, D.R. Casper and C.S. Via. 1993. In vitro lymphocyte response of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): Mitogen-induced proliferation. Mar. Envir. Research 35:115-119.

Read, A.J., R.S. Wells, A.A. Hohn and M.D. Scott. 1993. Patterns of growth in wild bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. J. of Zoology, Lond, 231:107-123.

Sayigh, L.S., R.S. Wells and P.L. Tyack. 1993. Recording underwater sounds of free-ranging dolphins while underway in a small boat. Marine Mammal Science. 9(2):209-213.

Wells, R.S. 1993. The marine mammals of Sarasota Bay. Chapter 9, pp. 9.1 - 9.23 In: Sarasota Bay: 1992 Framework for Action, P. Roat, C. Ciciccolella, H. Smith, and D. Tomasko, eds. Published by the Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program, 5333 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234.

Wells, R.S. 1993. Parental investment patterns of wild bottlenose dolphins. Pp. 58-64In: N.F. Hecker (ed.) Proceedings of the 18th International Marine Animal Trainers Association Conference, November 4-9, 1990, Chicago, IL.

Duffield, D.A. and R.S. Wells. 1991. The combined application of chromosome, protein and molecular data for the investigation of social unit structure and dynamics in Tursiops truncatus. Pp. 155-169 In: A.R. Hoelzel (ed.) Genetic Ecology of Whales and Dolphins. Report of the International Whaling Commission, Special Issue 13, Cambridge, U.K.

Wells, R.S. 1991. The role of long-term study in understanding the social structure of a bottlenose dolphin community. Pp. 199-225In: K. Pryor and K.S. Norris (eds.), Dolphin Societies: Discoveries and Puzzles. Univ. of California Press, Berkeley. 397 pp.

Sayigh, L.S., P.T. Tyack, R.S. Wells and M.D. Scott. 1990. Signature whistles of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus: Stability and mother-offspring comparisons. Behavioral Ecol. and Sociobiol. 26:247-260.

Scott, M.D., R.S. Wells, A.B. Irvine and B.R. Mate. 1990. Tagging and marking studies on small cetaceans. Pp. 489-514 In: S. Leatherwood and R.R. Reeves (eds.), The Bottlenose Dolphin. Academic Press, San Diego. 653 pp.

Scott, M.D., R.S. Wells and A.B. Irvine. 1990. A long-term study of bottlenose dolphins on the west coast of Florida. Pp. 235-244 In: S. Leatherwood and R.R. Reeves (eds.), The Bottlenose Dolphin. Academic Press, San Diego. 653 pp.

Wells, R.S., L.J. Hansen, A. Baldridge, T.P. Dohl, D.L. Kelly and R.H. Defran. 1990. Northward extension of the range of bottlenose dolphins along the California coast. Pp. 421-431 In: S. Leatherwood and R.R. Reeves (eds.) The Bottlenose Dolphin. Academic Press, San Diego. 653 pp.

Wells, R.S. and M.D. Scott. 1990. Estimating bottlenose dolphin population parameters from individual identification and capture-release techniques. Pp. 407-415 In: P.S. Hammond, S.A. Mizroch and G.P. Donovan (eds.) Individual Recognition of Cetaceans: Use of Photo-Identification and Other Techniques to Estimate Population Parameters. Report of the International Whaling Commission, Special Issue 12, Cambridge, U.K. 440 pp.

Hohn, A.A., M.D. Scott, R.S. Wells, J.C. Sweeney and A.B. Irvine. 1989. Growth layers in teeth from known-age, free-ranging bottlenose dolphins. Marine Mammal Science 5(4):315-342.

Wells, R.S., M.D. Scott and A.B. Irvine. 1987. The social structure of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins. Pp. 247-305 In: Genoways, H. (ed.), Current Mammalogy, Vol. 1. New York: Plenum Press.

Shane, S.H., R.S. Wells and B. Wü;rsig. 1986. Ecology, behavior, and social organization of the bottlenose dolphin: A review. Marine Mammal Science 2(1):34-63.

Wells, R.S. 1984. Reproductive behavior and hormonal correlates in Hawaiian spinner dolphins, Stenella longirostris. Pp. 465-472 In: Perrin, W.F., R.L. Brownell, Jr. and D.P. DeMaster (eds.), Reproduction on Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises. Cambridge: Reports of the International Whaling Commission, Special Issue 6, 495 pp.

Irvine, A.B., R.S. Wells and M.D. Scott. 1982. An evaluation of techniques for tagging small odontocete cetaceans. Fish. Bull. U.S. 80:135-143.

Irvine, A.B., M.D. Scott, R.S. Wells and J.H. Kaufmann. 1981. Movements and activities of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, near Sarasota, Florida. Fish. Bull. U.S.79:671-688.

Mead, J.G., D.K. Odell, R.S. Wells and M.D. Scott. 1980. Observations on a mass stranding of spinner dolphins, Stenellalongirostris, from the west coast of Florida. Fish. Bull. U.S. 78:353-360.

Wells, R.S., A.B. Irvine and M.D. Scott. 1980. The social ecology of inshore odontocetes. Pp. 263-317 In: Herman, L.M. (ed.) Cetacean Behavior: Mechanisms and Functions. New York: J.Wiley & Sons,463 pp.

Irvine, A.B., M.D. Scott, R.S. Wells and J.G. Mead. 1979. Stranding of the pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus, in Florida and South Carolina. Fish. Bull. U.S. 77:511-513.

Fehring, W.K. and R.S. Wells. 1976. A series of strandings by a single herd of pilot whales on the west coast of Florida. J. Mammal. 57:191-194.

Irvine, B., R.S. Wells and P.W. Gilbert. 1973. Conditioning an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, to repel various species of sharks. J. Mammal. 54:503-505.

Irvine, B. and R.S. Wells. 1972. Results of attempts to tag Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Cetology 13:1-5.

Manuscripts In Press, In Revision, or In Review

Brueggen, M.K., and D.P. Gannon.  In review.  Responses of chorusing male spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) to acoustic cues associated with predators. Journal of Fish Biology.

Buckstaff, K.C., R.S. Wells, J.G. Gannon, and D.P. Nowacek.  In review.  Responses of bottlenose dolphins to construction and demolition of coastal marine structures.  Aquatic Mammals.

Dunshea, G., N. Barros, R.S. Wells, M. Hindell, N. Gales, and S. Jarman.  In review.  Pseudogenes and DNA based diet analyses; a cautionary tale from a relatively well sampled predator/prey system.

Dunshea, G.  In review.  A generic molecular diet assay for Carnivora and Odontoceti mammals and a framework to use similar methods for any predator group.

Gannon, D.P. In press.  Passive acoustic techniques in fisheries science: a review and prospectus. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.

Gannon, D.P. and J.G. Gannon.  In review.  Can passive acoustic methods be used to assess trends in abundance of soniferous fishes?  Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

Meagher, E., W.A. McLellan, A. Westgate, R.S. Wells, J. Blum, and D.A. Pabst. In review. Seasonal patterns of heat loss in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B.

Mintzer, V.J., D.P. Gannon, N.B. Barros, and A.J. Read. In press. Stomach contents of mass-stranded short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) from North Carolina. Marine Mammal Science.

Naar, J.P., L.J. Flewelling, A. Lenzi, J.P. Abbott, A. Granholm, H.M. Jacocks, D.P. Gannon, M. Henry, R. Pierce, D.G. Baden, J. Wolny, and J.H. Landsberg. In press. Brevetoxins, like ciguatoxins, are potent ichthyotoxic neurotoxins that accumulate in fish. Toxicon.

Remington, N., R.D. Stevens, R.S. Wells, A. Hohn, S. Dhunganae, C.H. Taboye, A.L. Crumblisse, R. Henkins, and C. Bonaventura. In review. Genetic diversity of coastal bottlenose dolphins revealed by structurally and functionally diverse hemoglobins.

Sayigh, L.S., H.C. Esch, R.S. Wells, and V.M. Janik. In press. Facts about signature whistles of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Animal Behaviour.

Sayigh, L.S. and V.M. Janik. In press. Signature whistles. In: W.F. Perrin, B. Würsig, and J.G.M. Thewissen, eds., Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Elsevier, Inc., San Diego, CA.

Urian, K.W., S. Hofmann, R.S. Wells, and A.J. Read. In review. Fine-scale population structure of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Tampa Bay, Florida. Marine Mammal Science.

Wells, R.S. In press. Dolphins and porpoises. In: J.H. Steele, S.A. Thorpe, and K.K. Turekian (eds.), Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences – on line. Oxford, UK: Elsevier.

Wells, R.S. In review. Identification methods. In: W.F. Perrin, B. Würsig, and J.G.M. Thewissen, (eds.), Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Elsevier, Inc., San Diego, CA. Updated from 2002.

Wells, R.S. and M.D. Scott. In review. Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). In: W.F. Perrin, B. Würsig, and J.G.M. Thewissen, (eds.), Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Elsevier, Inc., San Diego, CA. Updated from 2002.

Wells, R.S., C.A. Manire, D. Smith, J.G. Gannon, D. Fauquier, and K.D. Mullin. In revision. Movements and dive patterns of a rehabilitated Risso’s dolphin, Grampus griseus, in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Marine Mammal Science.

Wilson, J.Y., R.S. Wells, A. Aguilar, A. Borrell, V. Tornero, P. Reijnders, M. Moore, and J.J. Stegeman. In press. Correlates of Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) expression in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) integument biopsies. Toxicological Sciences.

Wong, S.K., R. Rivera, C.R. Smith, J.T. Saliki, R.S. Wells, and H. Nollens. In press. Evidence of exposure to a novel parainfluenza virus in two bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) populations: Clinical implications of a common respiratory virus. Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Woshner, V., K. Knott, R.S. Wells, C. Willetto, R. Swor, and T. O’Hara. In review. Mercury and selenium in blood and epidermis of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota Bay, Florida (USA): interaction and relevance to life history and hematologic parameters. EcoHealth

Contract and Other Reports

Bassos-Hull, K. and R.S. Wells. 2007. Investigating potential hurricane and red tide related impacts on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) abundance, reproductive rates, distribution, and site fidelity in Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound, Florida. Final Technical Report to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Protect Wild Dolphins Program for Award 2006-3. 43 pp.

Fauquier, D.A., L. Flewelling, J. Landsberg, N. Barros, J.G. Gannon and R.S. Wells. 2007. Investigating brevetoxin-induced mortality in bottlenose dolphins stranded in central west Florida. John H. Prescott Stranding Grant Program Final Performance Report for Grant Award # NA06NMF4390161.

Wells, R.S., G.A. Early, J.G. Gannon, R.G. Lingenfelser, and P. Sweeney. In review. Tagging and tracking of rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) from the March 2005 mass stranding in the Florida Keys. NOAA Tech. Memo.

Balmer, B.C. and R.S. Wells. 2006. Bottlenose dolphin health assessment research: Radio-tracking summary, St. Joseph Bay, Florida, April-July 2005.  Final Contract Report to National Marine Fisheries Service, Requisition/Reference No. NFFK0000-5-00147. 13 pp.

Hall, A.J., J. Stott, M. Blanchard, T.K. Rowles, and R.S. Wells.  2006.  The relationship between immune measures and blubber organochlorine concentrations in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota Bay, Florida. International Whaling Commission Report SC/58/E.

Reijnders, P., R. Wells, A. Aguilar, A. Bjørge, G. Donovan, T. O'Hara, T. Rowles and U. Siebert.  2006.  Final report on Pollution 2000+: Phase I. International Whaling Commission Report SC/58/E.

Wells, R.S., G.A. Early, J.G. Gannon, R.G. Lingenfelser, and P. Sweeney.  In review.  Tagging and tracking of rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) from the March 2005 mass stranding in the Florida Keys.  NOAA Tech. Memo.

Wilson, J.Y., R. Wells, A. Aguilar, A. Borrell, V. Tornero, P. Reijnders, M. Moore, and J.T. Stegeman.  2006.  Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) expression in integument biopsies from a coastal bottlenose dolphin population.  International Whaling Commission Report SC/58/E.

Woshner, V., K. Knott, R. Wells, C. Willetto, R. Swor, and T. O'Hara.  2006.  Mercury and selenium in blood of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): Interaction and reference to life history and hematologic parameters. International Whaling Commission Report SC/58/E24.

Wells, R.S. and B.C. Balmer.  2005.  Bottlenose dolphin health assessment research, St. Joseph Bay, Florida, April-July 2005.  Interim Contract Report to National Marine Fisheries Service, Requisition/Reference No. NFFK0000-5-00147. 14 pp.

Wells, R.S. and J.G. Gannon.  2005.  Release and follow-up monitoring of rehabilitated rough-toothed dolphins.  Pp. 4-18 In: C.A. Manire and R.S. Wells, Rough-toothed Dolphin Rehabilitation and Post-release Monitoring.  Final Report for J.H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program.Award No. (FL) #2005-0162-001.

Wells, R.S.  2005.  Report to the Marine Mammal Commission on the Small Cetacean Electronic Tag Attachment Workshop, June 11-12, 2003, Sarasota Florida. Purchase Order No. T03326587.

Wells, R.S., Tornero, V., Borrell, A., Aguilar, A., Rowles, T.K., Rhinehart, H., Hofmann, S., Jarman, W., Hohn, A., Sweeney, J. 2004. Integrating life history and reproductive success data to examine potential relationships with organochlorine compounds for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. International Whaling Commission Report SC/56/E19.

Wilson, J. Wells, R.S., Aguilar, A., Borrell, A., Tornero, V., and Reijnders, P.J.H.  2004.  Relationship between contaminants and immunohistochemistry CYP1A expression in upper and lower dermis tissue of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus.  International Whaling Commission Report SC/56/E17.

Tornero, V., Aguilar, A., Borrell, A., Forcada, J., Wells, R.S., and Reijnders, P.J.H.  2004.  Effect of organochlorine pollutants and individual biological traits on retinoid blubber concentrations in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). International Whaling Commission Report SC/56/E16.

Schwacke, L., Hall, A., Wells, R., Bossart, G., Hohn, A., Fair, P., Kucklick, J., Rosel, P., and Rowles, T.  2004.  A 5-year plan for health and risk assessment for bottlenose dolphin populations along the southeast U.S. coast.  International Whaling Commission Report SC/56/E20.

Hall, A., Wells, R.S., Stott, J., Wilson, J., Aguilar, A., Borrell, A., Tornero, V., Donovan, G.P., O'Hara, T., Rowles, T., Siebert, U., Bjørge, A. and Reijnders, P.J.H.  2004. Biomarkers of contaminant exposure and relationships with blubber contaminant levels in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus.  International Whaling Commission Report SC/56/E15.

Nowacek, S.M., D.P. Nowacek, M.P. Johnson, K.A. Shorter, J.A. Powell and R.S. Wells.  2002.  Manatee behavioral responses to vessel approaches: Results of digital acoustic data logger tagging of manatees in Belize.  Final contract report to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Contract No. 01078.  Mote Marine Laboratory Technical Report No. 847.

Nowacek, S.M., D.P. Nowacek, M.P. Johnson, and R.S. Wells.  2001.  Manatee behavioral responses to vessel approaches: Results of digital acoustic data logger tagging of manatees in Belize.  Final contract report to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Contract No. 00127. 81 pp.  Mote Marine Laboratory Technical Report No. 775.

Nowacek, D.P., K.C. Buckstaff, M.P. Johnson, and R.S. Wells.  2001.  Transmission loss of vessel noise in manatee environments.  Final contract report to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Contract No. 99023. 22 pp.  Mote Marine Laboratory Technical Report No. 721.

Pabst, D.A., W.A. McLellan, A.J. Read, R.S. Wells, and A.S. Friedlaender.  2000.  Conservation plan for the Atlantic coastal stock complex of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus.  Draft report to National Marine Fisheries Service.

Waring, G.T., J.M. Quintal, S.L. Swartz, N.B. Barros, P.J. Clapham, T.V.N. Cole, C.P. Fairfield, L.J. Hansen, K.D. Mullin, D.K. Odell, D.L. Palka, M.J. Rossman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, R.S. Wells, and C. Yeung.  2000.  U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico marine mammal stock assessments – 2000.  NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-NE-162.

Nowacek, S.M., R.S. Wells, D.P. Nowacek, E.C.G. Owen, T.R. Speakman, and R.O. Flamm.  2000.  Manatee behavioral responses to vessel approaches.  Final contract report to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Contract No. 99023. 12 pp. + 3 appendices.  Mote Marine Laboratory Technical Report No. 742.

Wells, R.S. 2000. Reproduction in wild bottlenose dolphins: Overview of patterns observed during a long-term study.  Pp. 57-74 In:  D. Duffield and T. Robeck, eds., Bottlenose Dolphin Reproduction Workshop Report.  AZA Mar. Mammal Taxon Advisory Group, Silver Springs, MD.

Waring, G.T., D.L. Palka, P.J. Clapham, S.L. Swartz, M. Rossman, T. Cole, L.J. Hansen, K.D. Bisack, K. Mullin, R.S. Wells, D.K. Odell and N.B. Barros.  1999.  U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico marine mammal stock assessments – 1999.  NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-NE-153.

Wells, R.S., S.M. Nowacek and R O. Flamm.  1999.  Manatee behavioral responses to vessel approaches.  Final Contract report for Contract No. MR-277, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Petersburg, FL.  9 pp.  Mote Marine Laboratory Technical Report No. 748.

Bassos-Hull, K. and R.S. Wells.  1999.  Dolphins: Bottlenose dolphins: Experimental return to the wild of two bottlenose dolphins, Florida, USA.  IUCN Reintroduction News 18: 22-23.

Fazioli, K. L. and R. S. Wells.  1999.  Stock structure of coastal bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, near Sarasota, Florida.  Final Contract Report to National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, FL. Contr. No. 40-WCNF701806.  27 pp + 5 tables, 23 figures, 3 appendices.

Nowacek, S.M. and R.S. Wells. 1998.  Evaluation of the potential impacts of boat use on a resident community of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) near Sarasota, Florida. Pp. 94-10 in S.A. Rommel, J.E. Reynolds, III, and R.S. Wells (eds),  Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Atlantic Coastal Dolphin Conference, May 1-3, 1998, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida. 120 pp.

Doty-Wilkin, S.M., E.A. Forys, J.E. Reynolds, III, K.W. Urian, and R.S. Wells. 1998.  Analysis using GIS of home range characteristics and habitat use by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Boca Ciega Bay , Florida, and surrounding water.  Pp. 61-67 10 in S.A. Rommel, J.E. Reynolds, III, and R.S. Wells (eds),  Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Atlantic Coastal Dolphin Conference, May 1-3, 1998, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida.  120 pp.

Wells, R. S. 1998.  Photogrammetry and identification services for manatees. Final Report to Florida Department of Environmental Protection for Contract No. MR-223.

Rommel, S.A., J.E. Reynolds, III and R.S. Wells (eds.).  1998. Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Atlantic Coastal Dolphin Conference, May 1-3, 1998, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida.  120 pp.

Bassos-Hull, K., R.S. Wells and K.W. Urian and 1998.  Low-level monitoring of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Charlotte Harbor, Florida.  Pp. 163-170 In  S.F. Treat (ed.), Proceedings:  Charlotte Harbor Public Conference and Technical Symposium: March 1997.  Published by the South Florida Water Management District and the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, 4980 Bayline Drive, 4th Floor, North Fort Myers, FL  33917.

Read, A.J., A.J. Westgate, R.S. Wells, D.M. Waples, B.M. Allen, M.D. Scott and A.A. Hohn.  1997.  Testing attachment techniques for satellite transmitters on bottlenose dolphins near Sarasota, Florida.  Contract Rept. to National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Beaufort Laboratory. Contr. No. 40ETNF700036.

Urian, K.W., K. Bassos-Hull and R.S. Wells.  1997.  Low level monitoring of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Tampa Bay, Florida. Pp. 79-86 In:  S.F. Treat (ed.), Proceedings:  Tampa Bay Scientific Information Symposium 3; Applying Our Knowledge. Tampa Bay National Estuary Program.

Gorzelany, J.F., D. Nowacek, J. Koelsch and R.S. Wells.  1997.  Use of a tethered airship for monitoring of manatees and boat activity in Sarasota County: A feasibility study.  Final Contract Report to Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Wells, R.S., M.K. Bassos, K.W. Urian, S.H. Shane, E.C.G. Owen, C.F. Weiss, W.J. Carr and M.D. Scott.  1997.    Low-level monitoring of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Pine Island Sound, Florida: 1996.  Final Contract Report to National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, FL. Contr. No. 40-WCNF601958. 86 pp.

Urian, K.W. and R.S. Wells.  1996.  Bottlenose dolphin photo-identification workshop.  Final contract report to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Charleston, SC.  Contract No. 40-EUNF-500587. NMFS Technical Memo. NMFS-SEFSC-393. 91 pp.

Wells, R.S., M.K. Bassos, K.W. Urian, W.J. Carr and M.D. Scott.  1996.  Low-level monitoring of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Charlotte Harbor, Florida: 1990-1994.  NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-SEFSC-384, 36 pp. + 8 Tables, 10 Figures, and 5 Appendices. 

Hansen, L.J., and R.S. Wells.  1996. Bottlenose dolphin health assessment:  Field report on sampling near Beaufort, North Carolina, during July, 1995. NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-SEFSC-382, 24 pp.

Read, A.J., A.J. Westgate, K.W. Urian, R.S. Wells, B.M. Allen and W.J. Carr.  1996.  Monitoring movements and health status of bottlenose dolphins in Beaufort, NC using radio telemetry.  Final contract report to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Charleston, SC.  Contract No. 40-GENF-500160.  37 pp.

Wells, R.S., K.W. Urian, A.J. Read, M.K. Bassos, W.J. Carr and M.D. Scott.  1996.  Low-level monitoring of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Tampa Bay, Florida: 1988-1993.  NOAA Tech. Mem. NMFS-SEFSC-385, 25 pp. + 6 Tables, 8 Figures, and 4 Appendices.

Read, A.J., R.S. Wells, H.L. Rhinehart and M.D. Scott.  1994.  A review of techniques for the positive identification of captive marine mammals.  Final contract report to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Silver Spring, MD.  Contr. No. 40AANF304750.  15 pp.

Wells, R.S.  1994.  Determination of bottlenose dolphin stock discreteness: Application of a combined behavioral and genetic approach.  Pp. 16-20 In:  K.R. Wang, P.M. Payne, and V.G. Thayer (compilers), Coastal Stock(s) of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin: Status Review and Management.  Proceedings and Recommendations from a Workshop held in Beaufort, NC, 13-14 September 1993.  NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-OPR-4. 120 pp.

Wells, R.S.  1994.  Progress Report:  Bottlenose dolphin health assessment workshop.  Contract report to National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, FL.  11 pp.

Urian, K.W. and R.S. Wells.  1993.  Identification of stranded bottlenose dolphins from the central west coast of Florida:  1991-1992.  Contract Report to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Center.  Contract No. 40GENF200613. 4pp.

Bassos, M.K. and R.S. Wells.  1993.  Effect of pool size/shape on the behavior of bottlenose dolphins.  Final contract report to US Dept. of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Hyattsville, MD, Contract No. 43-57GS-3-C4854.  8 pp.

Tyack, P.L., A.J. Read, T. Spradlin, T. Howald and R.S. Wells.  1993. Experimental playback of low frequency noise to bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, near Sarasota, Florida.  Final Report to Office of Naval Research, Grant No. N00014-92-J-1843.  25 pp.

Rhinehart, H.R., R.S. Wells, F.I. Townsend, J.C. Sweeney and D.R. Casper. 1992.  Blood profiles of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins from the central west coast of Florida: 1991-1992.  Contract Rept. to National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Center.  Contract No. 40-WCNF-006083. 17 pp.

Rhinehart, H.R., R.S. Wells, F.I. Townsend, J.C. Sweeney and D.R. Casper. 1991.  Blood profiles of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins from the central west coast of Florida.  Contract Rept. to National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Center. Contr. No. 40-WCNF-003060.  13 pp.

Wells, R.S. and S. Montgomery (eds.). 1991.  Final Report of a Workshop to Develop a Recommended Study Design for Evaluating the Relative Risks and Benefits of Swim-With-The-Dolphin Programs.  Marine Mammal Commission Report to National Marine Fisheries Service.

Wells, R.S. 1986. Population structure of bottlenose dolphins: Behavioral studies of bottlenose dolphins along the central west coast of Florida. Contract Rept. to National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Center. Contr. No. 45-WCNF-5-00366. 70 pp.

Duffield, D.A. and R.S. Wells. 1986. Population structure of bottlenose dolphins: Genetic studies of bottlenose dolphins along the central west coast of Florida. Contract Rept. to National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Center. Contract No. 45-WCNF-5-00366. 10 pp.

Shane, S.H., R.S. Wells, B. Würsig and D.K. Odell. 1982. Behavior and ecology of the bottlenose dolphin: a review. Contract Report to University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Park, Mississippi, 71 pp.

Wells, R.S., B.G. Würsig and K.S. Norris. 1981. A survey of the marine mammals, including Phocoena sinus, of the upper Gulf of California. NTIS PB-81-168-791, 51 pp.

Wells, R.S., M.D. Scott, A.B. Irvine and P.T. Page. 1981. Observations during 1980 of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, marked during 1970-1976, on the west coast of Florida. Contract Report to National Marine Fisheries Service, Contr. No. NA-80-GA-A-196, 29 pp.

Wells, R.S., B.G. Würsig and K.S. Norris. 1981. Un reconocimiento de los mamiferos marinos en el alto Golfo de California, Mexico. Proc. 6th International Meeting for the Study of Marine Mammals of the Peninsula of Baja California; La Paz, Baja Cal. Sur, Mexico, 10-12 Feb. 1981.

Irvine, A.B., M.D. Scott, R.S. Wells, J.H. Kaufmann and W.E. Evans. 1979. A study of the activities and movements of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, including an evaluation of tagging techniques.  NTIS PB-298-042, 54 pp.

Popular and Semi-Popular Articles, Book Reviews, Educational Films and Videos

MacGillivray Freeman Films.  2000.  Dolphins.  Consultant for IMAX documentary (Oscar-nominated)

Wells, R.S. 2000.  Reproduction and mating.  Pp. 98 In: Dolphins. National Geographic Society.  Washington, DC.

Wells, R.S. 1999.  Sarasota Dolphin Research Program enters 30^th year.  Mote News 44(3):8-10.

Wells, R.S. 1999.  Human interactions with Florida's marine mammals.  Videotape produced for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (15 min)

Wells, R.S. 1999.  Mote scientists complete first year of state-funded manatee research and education program.  Mote News 44(1):14-15.

Wells, R.S. 1998.  Of what value is a whale and dolphin hospital?  Mote News 43(1):12-13.

Wells, R.S. 1993.  Why all the blubbering?  BISON Brookfield Zoo.  7(2):12-17.

Wells, R.S. 1991.  Bringing up baby.  Natural History Magazine.  August 1991: 56-62.

Wells, R.S.  1990.  Return to the wild: Completion of a "dolphin sabbatical."  J. American Cetacean Society, Whalewatcher, Winter 1989:3-5.

Wells, R.S.  1989.  Secrets of a high society. National Wildlife, August-September 1989:38-44.

Wells, R.S. 1987. Book Review: The Sierra Club Handbook of Whales and Dolphins. Marine Mammal Science 3(1):93-94.

Wells, R.S. 1985. Bottlenose dolphin social behavior: Longterm research in a natural laboratory. J. American Cetacean Society, Whalewatcher 19(4):3-6.

Würsig, B. and R.S. Wells. 1984. School life of the spinner dolphin. Pp. 192-193 In: Macdonald, D. (ed.), The Encyclopedia of Mammals. London: Equinox-Oxford Ltd., 895 pp.

Wells, R.S. 1982. Dolphins in the wild. Earthwatch, Fall Edit.:14-15.

Presentations at Professional Meetings

Barros, N.B., J.G. Gannon, and R.S. Wells. 2007. Combining long-term photo-identification and stranding data from west-central Florida, USA, resident bottlenose dolphins: a synergistic approach with implications for ecological studies. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa.

Bordino, P., R.S. Wells, and A.M. Stamper. 2007. Site fidelity of franciscana dolphins Pontoporia blainvillei off Argentina. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa.

Dunshea, G., S. Jarman, M. Hindell, R.S. Wells, D. Duffield, and N. Gales. 2007. Telomeres of cetaceans and pinnipeds: initial experimental genomic characterization and examination of age related dynamics. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa.

Fauquier, D.A., N. Barros, L. Flewelling, V. Socha, R. Pierce, J.G. Gannon, M. Kinsel, M. Stolen, J. Landsberg, and R.S. Wells. 2007. Brevetoxin induced mortality in stranded dolphins from central west Florida during 2005 and 2006. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa.

Gannon, J.G., J.B. Allen, D.P. Gannon, E.J. Berens, S.Hofmann, and R.S. Wells. 2007. Effects of harmful algal blooms on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): changes in distribution and behavior. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa.

Gannon, D.P., A.S. Friedlaender, J.G. Gannon, E.J. Berens, J.B. Allen, S. Hofmann, and R.S. Wells. 2007. Seeing the forest for the trees: comparing patterns of habitat selection at the level of the population and of the individual for bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa.

Gannon, D.P., A.S. Friedlaender, J.G. Gannon, E.J. Berens, J.B. Allen, S. Hofmann, and R.S. Wells. 2007. Seeing the forest for the trees: comparing patterns of habitat selection at the level of the population and of the individual for bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammal Symposium, 16-18 March, Beaufort, NC.

Gannon, J.G., R.S. Wells, J.B. Allen, D.P. Gannon, E.J. Berens, and S. Hofmann. 2007. Effects of harmful algal blooms on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): changes in distribution and behavior. Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammal Symposium, 16-18 March, Beaufort, NC.

Gridley, T., N. Quick, L. Sayigh, and V.M. Janik. 2007. Signature whistle type diversity in captive and wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa. (poster)

Kucklick, J.R., A. Guichard, J. Yordy, J. Litz, R.S. Wells, B. Balmer, A. Hohn, E. Zolman, L. Schwacke, T. Rowles, L. Hansen, C. Berrie, and P. Rosel. 2007. Concentrations and patterns of lipophilic pollutants in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) as a function of geographical scale and implications to dolphin health. 27th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants. Tokyo, Japan.

Kucklick J.R., A. Guichard, J. Yordy, J. Litz, R.S. Wells, B. Balmer, A. Hohn, E. Zolman, L. Schwacke, T. Rowles, L. Hansen, C. Berrie, and P. Rosel. 2007. Concentrations and patterns of lipophilic pollutants in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) as a function of geographical scale and implications to dolphin health. 28th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Milwaukee, WI, 11-14 November.

McHugh, K.A. and R.S. Wells. 2007. Red tide effects on juvenile bottlenose dolphin behavior in Sarasota Bay, FL. 44th Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society, 21-26 July 2007, Burlington, VT.

McHugh, K.A. and R.S. Wells. 2007. Red tide effects on juvenile bottlenose dolphin behavior in Sarasota Bay, FL. Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammals Symposium, 16-18 March, Beaufort, NC.

McHugh, K.A., S. Hofmann, J.B. Allen, M.D. Scott, and R.S. Wells. 2007. Factors influencing variation in age at independence for free-ranging bottlenose dolphin calves in Sarasota Bay, Florida. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa.

Quintana-Rizzo, E. 2007. Manatí Antillano (Trichechus manatus) en el Caribe y métodos de estudio. Primer Taller Trinacional para la Conservación del Manatí Antillano. April 16-18, Tortuguero, Costa Rica.

Quintana-Rizzo, E., D. Mann and R.S. Wells. 2007. Rango de comunicacion de los sonidos sociales de los delfines nariz de botella (Tursiops truncatus). Tercer Congreso de la Comisión Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Converciencia. 24-27 July, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala.

Quintana-Rizzo, E. and R.S. Wells. 2007. The definition of a group in species with fluid relationships: the case of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa. (poster)

Sayigh, L., H.C. Esch, J. Blum, and R. Wells. 2007. Whistles as potential indicators of stress in bottlenose dolphins. 21st Conference of the European Cetacean Society, San Sebastian, Spain, 23-25 April 2007. (poster)

Sayigh, L.S., R.S. Wells, and V.M. Janik. 2007. Signature whistle development in bottlenose dolphins. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa.

Scott, M.D., R.S. Wells, and A.B. Irvine. 2007. Long-term studies of bottlenose dolphins: an assessment of costs and benefits. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa.

Simard, P. and D. Mann. 2007. Automatic detection of dolphin vocalizations using DPASS (Dolphin Passive Acoustic Surveillance System). 30th International Ethology Conference, Halifax, NS, Canada, August 2007.

Simard, P., R.S. Wells, J.B. Allen, M. Cook, and D. Mann. 2007. Boat-based visual surveys and acoustic detection using manual methods and automatic recognition software: results from bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota, Florida. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa.

Wells, R.S. and J.B. Allen. 2007. Consequences of injuries on survival and reproduction of bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida. NMFS Serious Injury Technical Workshop, 10-12 September 2007, Seattle, WA.

Wells, R.S., S. Hofmann, J.B. Allen, K.W. Urian, K. Bassos-Hull, S.M. Nowacek, J.G. Gannon, N.B. Barros, D.A. Fauquier, M.D. Scott, and R.C. Lacy. 2007. Impacts of human activities and natural events on the abundance and vital rates of bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa.

West, K.L., R. Shah, O.T. Oftedal, R.S. Wells, D.P. Costa, and M.B. Kretzmann. 2007. Milk composition and calf growth in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota Bay, Florida. 17th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 29 November – 3 December, Cape Town, South Africa.

Yordy, J., R. S.Wells, A. Guichard, B. Balmer, L. Schwacke, T. Rowles, and J. Kucklick. 2007. Shift of PBDE mixtures within a coastal bottlenose dolphin population in relation to life history and dietary exposure. 28th Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 11-14 November, Milwaukee, WI,

Barros, N.B., P. Ostrom, C. Stricker and R. Wells.  2006.  Bottlenose dolphin population differentiation and trophic studies using carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotopes and stomach content analyses.  Defenders of Wildlife's Carnivores 2006. St. Petersburg, FL, 12-15 November 2006.

Bernasconi, M., S. Dussán-Duque, L. Di Iorio, and A. Passerini.  2006.  Comportamiento vocal de Sotalia. Marino (Sotalia guianensis) en el Golfo de Morrosquillo, Colombia.  Workshop on the Research and Conservation of the Genus Sotalia.  June 19-23, 2006, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Berens, E. and D.P. Gannon.  2006.  Effects of Red Tide on the availability of prey for bottlenose dolphins. Oral presentation, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammal Symposium, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Carlson, S.L., V. Cornish, L. Engleby, K. Thoms, K. Wells, T. Spradlin and R. Wells.  2006.  Feeding and harassment of wild bottlenose dolphins in the Southeastern Region: Overview of activities of concern and mitigation efforts.  Defenders of Wildlife's Carnivores 2006. St. Petersburg, FL, 12-15 November 2006.

Dussán-Duque, S., R.S. Wells, and K. Bassos-Hull.  2006.  Distribución, uso de hábitat y abundancia de Sotalia guianansis en el Golfo de Morrosquillo, Colombia. 

Workshop on Research and Conservation of the Genus Sotalia, Armacao dos Búzios, Rio de Janiero, Brazil, 19-23 June 2006.

Flores, P.A.C., D.A. Duffield, P.C. Simões-Lopes, and R.S. Wells.  2006.  A technique for extracting DNA from teeth of Sotalia.  Workshop on Research and Conservation of the Genus Sotalia, Armacao dos Búzios, Rio de Janiero, Brazil, 19-23 June 2006.

Flores, P.A.C., D.A. Duffield, P.C. Simões-Lopes, and R.S. Wells.  2006.  Lack of genetic variability in a small, resident population of marine tucuxi.  Workshop on Research and Conservation of the Genus Sotalia, Armacao dos Búzios, Rio de Janiero, Brazil, 19-23 June 2006.

Gannon, D.P., J. Allen, E. Berens, D. Fauquier, J. Gannon and R. Wells.  2006.  Role of ecological disturbance in the foraging ecology of coastal bottlenose dolphins.  Defenders of Wildlife's Carnivores 2006. St. Petersburg, FL, 12-15 November 2006.

Quintana-Rizzo, E., D.A. Mann, and R.S. Wells. 2006.  Estimacion del rango de comunicacion de los sonidos sociales usados por los delfines nariz de botella (Tursiops truncatus).  X Congreso de la Sociedad Mesoamericana para par Biologia y la Conservacion. Antigua Guatemala Oct 29 —Nov 3.

Wells, R.S.  2006.  Follow-up monitoring as an integral component of cetacean rehabilitation programs.  Keynote Address.  Southeast Region Marine Mammal Stranding Network Biennial Conference. May 3-5, 20006.  Panama City, FL.

Wells, R.S.  2006.  CZS Dolphin Conservation Program: Conservation activities involving Austral and Neotropical America. Analysis of the Technical Capacity for Conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean Workshop.  Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Illinois, 19-21 June 2006.

Wells, R.S. and N.B. Barros.  2006.  The combined application of photographic identification and genetic sampling to understanding population structure and dynamics of small cetaceans.  Workshop on Research and Conservation of the Genus Sotalia, Armacao dos Búzios, Rio de Janiero, Brazil, 19-23 June 2006.

Wells, R.S., K. Bassos-Hull, J. Allen, N. Barros, D. Fauquier, J. Gannon and R. Lacy.  2006. Impacts of human activities on a long-term resident community of bottlenose dolphins on Florida's west coast.  Defenders of Wildlife's Carnivores 2006. St. Petersburg, FL, 12-15 November 2006.

Yordy J., R. Wells, B. Balmer, L. Schwacke, T. Rowles, and J. Kucklick. 2006. Contaminant partitioning between blubber and blood in wild bottlenose dolphins: Implications for biomonitoring. SETAC, Montréal Canada.

Yordy, J., W.A. McLellan, D.A. Pabst, R. Wells, T. Rowles, and J. Kucklick. 2006.  Tissue specific exposure to organohalogen contaminants in the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus.  SETAC, Montréal Canada.

Allen, J.B., S. Hofmann, J.G. Gannon, and R.S. Wells.  2005.  Behavior of orphaned bottlenose dolphin calves within a long-term resident community in Sarasota Bay, Florida.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Balmer, B.C., R.S. Wells, S.M. Nowacek, W.A. McLellan, T.K. Rowles, and D.A. Pabst.  2005.  Short-term ranging patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in and around St. Joseph Bay, Florida, USA.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Barbieri, M.M., W.A. McLellan, R.S. Wells, J.E. Blum, S. Hofmann, and D.A. Pabst.  2005.  Physiological and behavioral mechanisms of thermoregulation in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida, U.S.A.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Bassos-Hull, K., C.A. Shepard, S. Schilling, J.B. Allen, J.G. Gannon, and R.S. Wells.  2005.  Bottlenose dolphin abundance, distribution, seasonal and long-term site fidelity in the Charlotte Harbor ecosystem on the West Coast of Florida.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Bordino, P. and R.S. Wells.  2005.  Radiotracking of Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) in Bahia Samborombon, Buenos Aires, Argentina.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Brueggen, M.K., D.P. Gannon, and R.S. Wells.  2005.  Effects of bottlenose dolphin sounds on the acoustic behavior of spotted sea trout.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Bryan, C.E , S.J. Christopher, W.C. Davis, R.D. Day, A.A. Hohn, and R.S. Wells.  2005.  Establishing baseline trace element concentrations for bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida through non-lethal monitoring of tissues and further exploring mercury levels in relation to life history data.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Cook, M.L.H., R.S. Wells, and D.A. Mann.  2005.  Auditory evoked potential (AEP) hearing measurements in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Dussán-Duque, S., R.S. Wells, and K. Bassos-Hull.  2005.  Distribution, habitat use and abundance of coastal Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) in the Gulf of Morrosquillo, Colombia. 16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Esch, H.C., L.S. Sayigh, and R.S. Wells.  2005. Whistles as potential indicators of stress in bottlenose dolphins.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Fauquier, D., M. Kinsel, M. Dailey, G. Hurst, N. Barros, M. Stolen, S. Rommel, R.S. Wells, and F. Gulland.  2005.  Assessing the impact of lungworm infection on the health of wild bottlenose dolphins in central west Florida.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Gannon, D., E. Berens, and R.S. Wells.  2005.  Fisheries science for marine mammalogists: Factors to consider when selecting a method for sampling fish populations. 16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Houde, M., B.C. Balmer, T.A.D. Bujas, R.S. Wells, A.A. Hohn, J.C. Sweeney, G.D. Bossart, P.A. Fair, K.R. Solomon, and D.C.G. Muir.  2005. Emerging perfluorinated contaminants in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Gannon, J.G., R.S. Wells, and S. Hofmann.  2005. Fine-scale natal philopatry and sex differences of bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Janik, V.M., L.S. Sayigh, and R.S. Wells.  2005. Signature whistle shape conveys identity information to bottlenose dolphins.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Klatsky, L., R.S. Wells, and J. Sweeney.  2005.  Bermuda's deep diving dolphins - Movements and dive behavior of offshore bottlenose dolphins in the northwest Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Kucklick, J., J. Yordy, A. Peck, R.S. Wells, A. Hohn, J. Litz, L. Schwacke, B. Balmer, L. Hansen, E. Zolman, and T. Rowles.  2005. Spatial and temporal trends of brominated flame retardants in dolphins from the western North Atlantic Ocean and eastern Gulf of Mexico.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Pabst, D.A., W.A. McLellan, S.A. Rommel, M.D. Scott, A.B. Irvine, J.C. Sweeney, R. Stone, A.S. Friedlaender, E.M. Meagher, A.A. Hohn, and R.S. Wells.  2005.  Ontogeny of temperature regulation of the testes of male bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): insights from long-term field studies.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Quintana-Rizzo, E., D. Mann, and R.S. Wells.  2005. Communication range of social sounds used by wild bottlenose dolphins during fission-fusion events (Tursiops truncatus). 16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Sayigh, L.S., V.M. Janik, and R.S. Wells.  2005. What's in a voice? Cues used by dolphins in individual recognition of signature whistles.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Schwacke, L.H., A.J. Hall, R.S. Wells, L. J. Hansen, A.A. Hohn, J.R. Kucklick, F. Townsend, R. Varela, T.K. Rowles.  2005.  A health assessment framework for free-ranging bottlenose dolphins along the southeast U.S. Coast. 16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Shah, R.S., K.L. West, O.L. Oftedal, R.S. Wells, and J.C. Sweeney.  2005.  Milk mineral values in free-ranging and captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Spradlin, T.R., F.M.D. Gulland, R.S. Wells, T.J. Ragen, and T.K. Rowles.  2005.  Review of marine mammal unusual mortality events in the United States: 1992-2005.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

West, K.L., O.T. Oftedal, R.S. Wells, D.P. Costa, and M.B. Kretzmann.  2005.  Milk composition and calf growth in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Westgate, A.J., E.M. Meagher, W.A. McLellan, R.S. Wells, and D.A. Pabst.  2005.  Seasonal differences in skin temperature and heat flux across the dorsal fin of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Yordy, J., J. Kucklick, R.S. Wells, B. Balmer, B. Swarthout, and T.K. Rowles.  2005.  Partitioning of contaminants between blubber, blood and milk in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins: implications for bio-monitoring.  16^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 12-16, 2005, San Diego, CA.

Kucklick, J.R. Yordy, J.E., Peck, A.M., Wells, R.S., Hohn, A.A., Litz, J., Schwacke, L.H., Balmer, B.C., Hansen, L.J., Zolman, E.S., and Rowles, T.K. 2005.  Brominated Flame Retardants In Blubber Collected From Gulf of Mexico and Western North Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).  Dioxin 2005.  Toronto, Canada, August 21, 2005.

Knott, K. V. Woshner, R. Wells, C. Willetto, R. Swor, and T. O'Hara. 2005. Mercury and Selenium: An assessment of contaminant and nutrient interactions in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Arctic Division Annual Meeting in Kodiak, Alaska in September 23-26, 2005.

Flores, P.A.C., M. Bazzalo, L. Zago, and R.S. Wells. 2005. Evidência de residência individual e ocorrência de lesões epidérmicas em golfinhos Tursiops truncatus na Baía Norte, SC, Brasil. 3^rd Brazilian Conference of Mammalogy, 12-16 October 2005, Aracruz, ES, Brazil.

Klatsky, L.J., R.S. Wells, and J.C. Sweeney.  2005. Diving behavior and movement information of offshore bottlenose dolphins near the Bermuda Pedestal. Dolphin Neonatal and Reproduction Symposium. Indianapolis, Indiana. October 8-11, 2005.

Karczmarski, L., R.S. Wells, B. Würsig, and S. Gowans.  2005.  Social behavior and social evolution in delphinids.  9^th International Mammalogical Congress, 31 July – 5 August, Sapporo, Japan.

Wells, R.S.  2005.  Bottlenose dolphin social structure near Sarasota Bay, Florida: Insights from 35 years and 4 generations.  Kyoto Conference: Delphinid and Primate Social Ecology. 29-30 July, 2005, Kyoto, Japan.

Yordy, J., R.S. Wells, J. Kucklick, T.K. Rowles, B.C. Balmer, J. Keller, and S. Vanderpol.  2005. Maternal Transfer of contaminants via lactation in the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. SEAMAMMS 2005. April 2005. Wilmington, NC

Fauquier, D., F. Gulland, S. Fire, L. Flewelling, J. Lansberg, N. Barros, M. Dailey, G. Bossart, D. Duffield, J. Gannon, M. Kinsel, C. Manire, J. Ramsdell, S. Rommel, M. Peterson, L. Schwacke, M. Stolen, R. Pierce and R. Wells. 2005. Assessing the impact of lungworm infection and red tide intoxication on the health of wild bottlenose dolphin populations. Florida Marine Mammal Health Conference II. Gainesville, FL. 7-10 April.

Fauquier, D.A., G.E. Hurst, N.B. Barros, J.D. Grimes, J. Gannon, L. Schwacke, M. Stolen, T. P. Lipscomb, M.J. Kinsel and R.S. Wells. Causes of mortality in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded along central west Florida from 1985 – 2004. National Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Conference. Lansdowne, VA. 4-6 April.

Hurst, G.E., D.A. Fauquier, K. Bassos-Hull, N.B. Barros, C.A. Manire, J.D. Grimes and  R.S. Wells. 2005. Fishery-interactions of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in central and southwest Florida. National Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Conference. Lansdowne, VA. 4-6 April.

Reynolds, III, J.E., D.L. Wetzel, R.S. Wells, and J.M Sprinkel.  2005.  Fatty acids in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) milk differ significantly from those in maternal and calf blubber: evidence using a novel analytical approach.   Florida Marine Mammal Health Conference, 7-10 April 2005, Gainesville, FL.

Houde, M., B.C. Balmer, T.A.D. Bujas, R.S. Wells, K.R. Solomon, and D.C.G. Muir. 2005. Perfluorinated alkyl compounds in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins from the Sarasota Bay, Florida, USA and their food web. 15^th Annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Lille, France, May 2005.

Houde, M., Bujas, T.A.D., Balmer, B.C., Bossart, G.D., Fair, P.A., Wells, R.S., Solomon, K.R., Muir, D.C.G.  2005. Tissue distribution of perfluorinated alkyl acids in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).15^th Annual meeting of SETAC, Lille, France, May 2005

Wells, R.S.  2005.  Health assessment of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins: Perspectives from two decades of research.  Florida Marine Mammal Health Conference II, 7-10 April, Gainesville, FL.

Wells, R.S.  2005.  Marine mammal health assessment: Summary of perspectives and opportunities.  Florida Marine Mammal Health Conference II, 7-10 April, Gainesville, FL.

Wells, R.S.  2005.  Working toward more effective use of stranding data.  2005 National Marine Mammal Stranding Network Conference, 3-7 April, Lansdowne, VA.

Wells, R.S.  2005.  Approaches to bottlenose dolphin conservation research: Lessons from 35 years of research on Florida's west coast.  International Workshop on the “Proyecto Costa Noroccidental”, Centro de Investigaciones Marinas, Universidad de La Habana, January 11-13, 2005, Havana, Cuba.

Hurst, G.E., D.A. Fauquier, N.B. Barros, K.B. Hull, R.S. Wells, C.A. Manire and J.D. Grimes. 2004. Bottlenose dolphin-fishery interactions in the Charlotte Harbor Estuary: a review and a tale of three survivors. Charlotte Harbor Conference. “Sound Science in 2004”. Sarasota, FL. 5-6 October.

Reynolds, III, J.E., D.L. Wetzel, and R.S. Wells.  2004.  Fatty acids in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) milk differ significantly from those in maternal and calf blubber: evidence using a novel approach.  Proceedings, 18^th Conference of the European Cetacean Society, 28-31 March 2004, Kolmården, Sweden.

Klatsky, L.J., R.S. Wells, and J.C. Sweeney. 2004. First insights into the distribution and dive behavior of offshore bottlenose dolphins in the deep oceanic waters around Bermuda. Proceedings, 18^th Conference of the European Cetacean Society, 28-31 March 2004, Kolmården, Sweden.

Cook, M., R.S. Wells, and D. Mann.  2004.  Hearing thresholds of wild bottlenose dolphins.  Acoustical Society of America. Nov 2004.

Wells, R.S. 2004.  Bottlenose dolphin capture techniques, Sarasota Bay, Florida, USA.  Workshop on the Conservation of Baiji and Yangtze Finless Porpoise, 28 November – 2 December, 2004, Wuhan, China.

Houde, M., T.A.D. Bujas, B.C. Balmer, G. Bossart, P.A. Fair, R.S. Wells, K.R. Solomon and D.C.G. Muir. 2004.  Perfluorinated compounds in three free-ranging bottlenose dolphin populations from southeastern U.S. waters.  Annual Meeting, Society for Ecotoxicology and Chemistry, Nov. 14-17, Portland, OR. (poster)

Houde, M., T.A.D. Bujas, B.C. Balmer, G.J. Pacepavicius, M. Alaee, G. Bossart, P.A. Fair, R.S. Wells, K.R. Solomon and D.C.G. Muir. 2004.  Assessment of hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) in plasma of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins.  Annual Meeting, Society for Ecotoxicology and Chemistry. Nov. 14-17, Portland, OR. (poster)

Wells, R.S., Tornero, V., Borrell, A., Aguilar, A., Rowles, T.K., Rhinehart, H., Hofmann, S., Jarman, W., Hohn, A., Sweeney, J. 2004. Integrating life history and reproductive success data to examine potential relationships with organochlorine compounds for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Annual Meeting of the Scientific Committee, International Whaling Commission, 4 July 2004, Sorrento, Italy.

Wells, R.S.  2004.  Integrating life history, health, and reproductive success data to examine potential relationships with organochlorine contaminants for bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida. National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario.

Wells, R.S. 2004.  Implications of bottlenose dolphin stock structure for health assessment on Florida's west coast.  National Ocean Service, Charleston, SC.

Wells, R.S. 2004.  Health assessment of bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida.  Forum on “Estrategias para el Manejo y Aprovechamiento de Delfines (Tursiops spp.) en México. 1-2 May 2004, La Paz, Mexico.

Gannon, J.G., D.P. Gannon, and R.S. Wells. 2004. Using GIS, relational databases, and application programming to improve ecological sampling design:  an example involving bottlenose dolphins and their prey.  Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammal Symposium.  26-29 March 2004, Ft. Pierce, Florida, (poster presentation).

Wells, R.S. 2003.  Biology and conservation of bottlenose dolphins – perspectives from long-term research. Keynote Address, MARCUBA, 5 December 2003, Havana, Cuba.

Wells, R.S.  2003.  Caring for and caring about bottlenose dolphins – perspectives from 33 years of collaborative dolphin research.  Keynote address, 31^st Annual Conference of the International Marine Animal Trainer's Association, 19 November 2003, Long Beach, CA.

Wells, R, T. Rowles, H. Rhinehart, S. Hofmann, G. Mitchum, W. Jarman, A. Borrell, A. Aguilar, A. Hohn, J. Sweeney, D. Duffield, and A. Hall.  2003.  Integrating life history, health, and reproductive success data to examine potential relationships with organochlorine contaminants for bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida.  15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Barbieri, M.M., W.A. McLellan, R.S. Wells, S. Hofmann, and D.A. Pabst.  2003.  An assessment of seasonal changes in the dorsal fin surface temperatures of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, FL, USA.  15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Gannon, D., N. Barros, D. Nowacek, A.Read, D. Waples, and R. Wells.  2003.  Prey detection by coastal bottlenose dolphins: Testing the passive listening hypothesis. 15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Hurst, G.E., D.A. Fauquier, N.B. Barros, J.F. Gorzelany, T.P. Lipscomb, M.J. Kinsel, and R.S. Wells.  2003.  Bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, strandings and mortality on the West Coast of Florida, 1985-2002.  15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Barros, N. B., P.H. Ostrom, and R.S. Wells.  2003.  Dietary reconstruction of bottlenose dolphins from central West Florida using stable isotope analyses. 15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Buckstaff, K.C. and R.S. Wells.  2003. Effects of watercraft noise on the acoustic behavior of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay, FL. 15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Hill, M.L., R.S. Wells, and D.A. Mann. 2003.  ABR hearing measurements in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). 15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Houde, M., R.S. Wells, K.R. Solomon, and D.C.G. Muir.  2003.  Hydroxy-PCBs and perfluorinated acids in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Sarasota Bay, Florida.  15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Martien, K., A. Sellas, P. Rosel, B. Taylor, and R. Wells. 2003.  Integration of genetic and behavioral data for bottlenose dolphin population unit definition. 15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Meagher, E.M., W.A. McLellan, A.J. Westgate, R.S. Wells, and D.A. Pabst.  2003.  Seasonal differences in heat flux across multiple body surfaces in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). 15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Morrissette, C., L. Sayigh, and R.S. Wells.  2003.  Quantifying stereotypy of bottlenose dolphin signature whistles.  15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Owen, E., S. Watwood, R.S. Wells, and D. Duffield.  2003.  Reproductive and ecological functions of adult male alliances in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay, Florida.  15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Rosel, P., A. Hohn, L. Hansen, A. Sellas, and R.S. Wells.  2003.  Genetic analysis reveals complicated population structure for coastal bottlenose dolphins in the Western North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.  15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Rowles, T.K., A.A. Hohn, R.S. Wells, L.J. Hansen, F.I. Townsend, H.L. Rhinehart, and J.T. Saliki.  2003.  Evidence of susceptibility to morbillivirus in free-ranging populations of bottlenose dolphins from the United States Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts.  15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Sayigh, L., C. Morrissette, V. Janik, and R.S. Wells.  2003. Signature whistles of bottlenose dolphins: fact, not "fallacy".  15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Watwood, S. E. Owen, R. Wells, and P. Tyack.  2003.  Signature whistle use by free-swimming and temporarily Restrained Bottlenose Dolphins, Tursiopstruncatus.  15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Stott, J., M. Blanchard, C. Funke, T. Rowles, and R. Wells.  2003.  Immunologic profile of free-ranging dolphins (Tursiops truncatusin Sarasota Bay, Florida, U.S.A. 15^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals.  December 14-19, 2003, Greensboro, NC.

Klatsky, L., B. Hurley, M. Campbell, J. Sweeney, and R. Wells.  2003.  New depths in research: Dolphin Quest's role in field research and conservation in Bermuda. 31^st Annual Conference of the International Marine Animal Trainer's Association, 19 November 2003, Long Beach, CA.

Wells, R.S., T.K. Rowles, A. Borrell, A. Aguilar, H.L. Rhinehart, W.M. Jarman, S. Hofmann, A.A. Hohn, D.A. Duffield, G. Mitchum, J. Stott, A. Hall, and J.C. Sweeney.  2003.  Integrating data on life history, health, and reproductive success to examine potential effects of POPs on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida.  Dioxin 2003: 23^rd International Symposium on Halogenated Environmental Organic Pollutants and POPs, 24-29 August, 2003, Boston, MA

Wells, R.S. 2003.  The role of long-term study in bottlenose dolphin research and conservation.  Symposium of Aquatic Mammals: Conservation and Research.  5 August 2003, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Buckstaff, K.C. and R.S. Wells.  2003.  Effects of watercraft noise on the acoustic behavior of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay, FL.  1^st International Conference on Acoustic Communication by Animals, Univ. of Maryland, 27-30 July, 2003. (poster).

Wells, R.S., T.K. Rowles, J.C. Sweeney, H.L. Rhinehart, W.M. Jarman, S. Hofmann, A.A. Hohn, D.A. Duffield, G. Mitchum, J. Stott, A. Hall, and P. Fair.  2002. Assessment of contaminant loads, toxic effects, health condition, and reproductive success of bottlenose dolphins.  Annual Meeting, Society for Ecotoxicology and Chemistry, 16-20 November 2002, Salt Lake City, UT.

Cunningham-Smith, P., D.E. Colbert, R.S. Wells, and T. Speakman.  2002.  A demonstration of the need for increasing public awareness of the problems associated with human interactions with wild dolphins: A case study near Sarasota, Florida.  30^th Annual Conference, International Marine Animal Trainers Association, 11-15 November, Orlando, FL.  Presented by Cunningham-Smith.  Education and Conservation Award.

Stott, J.L., M.T. Blanchard, and R.S. Wells. 2002.  Immunologic health assessment of free-ranging dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, FL. Florida Marine Mammal Health Conference.  4-7 April 2002, Gainesville, FL.

Nowacek, S.M., R.S. Wells, D.P. Nowacek, and K.C. Buckstaff.  2002.  Behavioral responses of dolphins and manatees to vessel approaches.  Florida Marine Mammal Health Conference.  4-7 April 2002, Gainesville, FL.

Nowacek, D.P., M.P. Johnson, P.L. Tyack, K.C. Buckstaff, S.M. Nowacek, and R.S. Wells.  2002.  Use of a multi-sensor tag to record the behavioral responses and acoustic environment of marine mammals exposed to vessels.  Florida Marine Mammal Health Conference.  4-7 April 2002, Gainesville, FL.

Bassos-Hull, K. and R.S. Wells. 2001. Experimental return to the wild of two bottlenose dolphins. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Poster Presentation).

Cunningham-Smith, P., D.E. Colbert, R.S. Wells and T. Speakman. 2001.  Human interactions with wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) near Sarasota, Florida. Viewing Marine Mammals in the Wild: A Workshop to Discuss Responsible Guidelines and Regulations for Minimizing Disturbance. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Oral Presentation).

Hill, M., L. Sayigh, and R.S. Wells. 2001. Use of habituation-dishabituation playback design to study aspects of whistle perception in bottlenose dolphins. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Oral Presentation).

Meagher, E.M., D.A. Pabst, W.A. McLellan, A.J. Westgate and R.S. Wells. 2001. Vascular patterns and heat flux across the dorsal fin in wild bottlenose dolphins. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Poster Presentation).

Noren, S.R., V. Cuccurullo, G. Lacave, D.A. Pabst, R.S. Wells, and T.M. Williams. 2001. The development of diving response in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): Implications for foraging behaviors of lactating females and newly weaned juveniles. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Oral Presentation).

Nowacek, S.M., R.S. Wells, D.P. Nowacek, E.C.G. Owen, T.R. Speakman, and R.O. Flamm. 2001. Manatee behavioral responses to vessel approaches. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Poster Presentation).

Owen, C.F.W. and R.S. Wells. 2001. A comparison of maternal care by primiparous and multiparous bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) – Does parenting improve with experience? 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Oral Presentation).

Owen, E.C.G. and R.S. Wells. 2001. Spatial and temporal measures of association complicate hypothesis of 'resident' vs. 'roving' male bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota, Florida. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Poster Presentation).

Pabst, D.A., T.M. Harradine, W.A. McLellan, M.D. Scott, R.S. Wells, T.M. Williams, A.J. Westgate, E.M. Meagher, S.A. Rommel, W. Hurley, and M. Barbieri. 2001. The use of infrared thermography to assess thermal function of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) dorsal fin. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Poster Presentation).

Priester, C., L. Sayigh, and R.S. Wells. 2001. Signature whistle production rate of an orphaned free-ranging bottlenose dolphin calf. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Poster Presentation).

Sayigh, L., L. Williams, J. Plant, and R.S. Wells. 2001. Modifications of signature whistles in adult female bottlenose dolphins. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Poster Presentation).

Schwacke, L., P. Fair, G. Mitchum, R.S. Wells, A. Hohn, and L. Hansen. 2001. Polychorinated biphenyl concentrations from bottlenose dolphins along the southeast U.S. coast and a probabilistic assessment of adverse health effects. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Poster Presentation).

Sellas, A., P. Rosel, and R.S. Wells. 2001. Genetic differentiation between inshore and coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Gulf of Mexico using mitochondrial DNA sequences. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Oral Presentation).

Shippee, S.F., F.I. Townsend, F.L. Deckert, R. Deckert, A.A. Hohn, and R.S. Wells. 2001. Monitoring forestomach temperature changes on instrumented free-swimming Tursiops truncatus to determine foraging effort and success. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Poster Presentation).

Urian, K.W., R.S. Wells, and A.J. Read. 2001. Community structure of bottlenose dolphins, (Tursiops truncatus) in Tampa Bay, Florida, USA. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Oral Presentation).

Wells, R.S.  2001. Population health issues in the bottlenose dolphin. Marine Mammal Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Workshop. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Oral Presentation).

Wells, R.S. and S. Nowacek. 2001. Human interactions with Florida's marine mammals. Viewing Marine Mammals in the Wild: A Workshop to Discuss Responsible Guidelines and Regulations for Minimizing Disturbance. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Oral Presentation).

Wells, R.S., D. Duffield, and A.A. Hohn. 2001. Reproductive success of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins: Experience and size make a difference. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Oral Presentation).

Westgate, A., D.A. Pabst, W.A. McLellan, E.M. Meagher, R.S. Wells, M.D. Scott, T.A. Williams, S.A. Rommel, and T.K. Rowles. 2001. Some like it hot: Measuring heat flux and temperature from wild bottlenose dolphins. 14^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov-3 Dec, Vancouver, BC (Oral Presentation).

Wells, R.S., T.K. Rowles, and H.L. Rhinehart.  2001.  Pollution 2000+: Bottlenose dolphin sampling progress during 2000-2001.  53^rd Meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, July 6-12, Hammersmith, U.K.

Wells, R.S. 2001.  Evaluating health risks in free-ranging bottlenose dolphin populations. Invited Plenary Presentation, 32^nd Annual Conference of the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, April 28 – May 2, 2001, Tampa, FL.

Wells, R.S., T.K. Rowles, H.L. Rhinehart, J.C. Sweeney, and W.M. Jarman.  2000.  Bottlenose dolphins as marine ecosystem sentinels. Wildlife Trusts's Workshop on Marine Vertebrates as Sentinel Species.  October 5-8, Tarrytown, NY.

Wells, R.S. 2000. 30 Years with the bottlenose dolphins of Sarasota Bay. Animal Social Complexity and Intelligence Symposium, Chicago Academy of Sciences, August 23-26, Chicago, IL.

Wells, R.S., W.M. Jarman, T.K. Rowles, and J. Whaley.  2000.  The role of population monitoring in evaluation of the possible effects of organochlorines on bottlenose dolphin health and reproduction.  Atlantic Coast Contaminants Workshop, June 23-25, Maine. (presented by Whaley)

Wells, R.S.  2000.  Stock structure of bottlenose dolphins in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.  National Marine Fisheries Service Bottlenose Dolphin Stock Structure Workshop, March 14-15, Sarasota, FL.

Wells, R.S., C.A. Manire, H.L. Rhinehart, D. Smith, A.J. Westgate, F.I. Townsend, T. Rowles, A.A. Hohn, and L.J. Hansen.  1999.  Ranging patterns of rehabilitated rough-toothed dolphins, Steno bredanensis, released in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. 13^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov – 3 Dec, 1999, Maui, HI. (Oral presentation)

Fazioli, K.L., and  R.S. Wells. 1999. Distribution and community structure of coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Gulf of Mexico off Sarasota, Florida.  13^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov – 3 Dec, 1999, Maui, HI. (Poster)

Schwacke, L, L. Hansen, E. Voit, R. S. Wells, G. Mitchum and P. Fair.  1999.  A framework for the assessment of population-level risks associated with exposure to poly-chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) for Tursiops truncatus.  13^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov – 3 Dec, 1999, Maui, HI. (Poster)

Gauthier, J.M., H. Dubeau, E. Rassart, W.M. Jarman, and R. S. Wells.  1999.  Biomarkers of DNA damage in marine mammals. 13^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov – 3 Dec, 1999, Maui, HI. (Poster)

Nowacek, D.P., R.S. Wells, and P.L. Tyack. 1999. Sequential foraging behavior and ecology of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. 13^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov – 3 Dec, 1999, Maui, HI.  (Oral presentation by Nowacek)

Nowacek, S.M., R.S. Wells, and D.P. Nowacek. 1999. The effects of boat traffic on bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay, Florida. 13^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov – 3 Dec, 1999, Maui, HI.  (Oral presentation by Nowacek)

Quintana-Rizzo, E., R.S. Wells, and J.F. Eisenberg.  1999.  Association patterns of resident and non-resident bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in the Cedar Keys, Florida.  13^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov – 3 Dec, 1999, Maui, HI. (Oral presentation by Quintana-Rizzo)

Watwood, S., P.L. Tyack, and R.S. Wells.  1999.  Signature whistle sharing between allied male bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus.  13^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov – 3 Dec, 1999, Maui, HI. (Oral presentation by Watwood)

Westgate, A.J., D.A. Pabst, W.A. McLellan, T.M. Williams, R.S. Wells, and M.D. Scott.  1999.  An instrument to record heat flux and surface temperature from free-swimming dolphins.  13^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov – 3 Dec, 1999, Maui, HI.  (Oral presentation by Westgate)

Wilkin, S.M., E.A. Forys, J.E. Reynolds, III, and R.S. Wells.  1999.  Assessment of ranging patterns and habitat preference of the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, utilizing a geographic information system (GIS). 13^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov – 3 Dec, 1999, Maui, HI.  (Poster)

Wilson, B., P.S. Hammond, R. Gaspar, R.S. Wells, and P.M. Thompson.  1999.  Differential rates of epidermal infection and healing in dolphins: Why some populations are better looking than others.  13^th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, 28 Nov – 3 Dec, 1999, Maui, HI. (Poster)

Wells, R.S. 1999.  Minimizing disturbance: Marine mammals.  Invited keynote address.  National Watchable Wildlife Conference, October 18-22, 1999, Ft. Myers, FL

Wells, R.S. 1999.  Reproduction in wild bottlenose dolphin populations.  Bottlenose Dolphin Reproduction Workshop, June 3-6, 1999, San Diego, CA.

Wells, R.S. 1999.  Social groupings in wild bottlenose dolphin populations: Effects on reproductive success.  Bottlenose Dolphin Reproduction Workshop, June 3-6, 1999, San Diego, CA.

Wells, R.S.  1999.  Rehabilitation and release of dolphins.  Invited Speaker, Second Workshop on Cetacean Stranding Training, 30 January 1999, Kenting National Park, Taiwan. 

Wells, R.S.  1999.  Of what value is a dolphin hospital?  Invited Speaker, 7th Symposium on Cetacean Ecology and Conservation, 27 January 1999, Taipei Zoo, Taiwan.

Wells, R.S.  1998.  Dolphin releases:  Case histories, criteria, and considerations.  Keynote Address, Captive Manatee Release and Reintroduction Workshop, 26-27 May 1998, St. Petersburg, FL.

Nowacek, S.M. and R.S. Wells.  1998.  Evaluation of the potential impacts of boat use on a resident community of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, near Sarasota, Florida.  6th Annual Atlantic Coastal Dolphin Conference, 1-3 May 1998, Sarasota, Florida.  (presented by Nowacek)

Wells, R.S.  1998.  Bottlenose dolphin biology and social structure: Perspectives from collaborative long-term studies.  23rd Annual Reunion for the Study of Marine Mammals, 20-24 April 1998, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Quintana-Rizzo, E., J.E. Eisenberg, and R.S. Wells.  1998.  Habitat use and relative abundance of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Cedar Keys, Florida.   23rd Annual Reunion for the Study of Marine Mammals, 20-24 April 1998, Quintana Roo, Mexico. (presented by Quintana-R.)

Wells, R.S. 1998.  Long-term perspectives on bottlenose dolphin reproduction.  Workshop on Marine Mammal Reproduction.  18-19 January 1998, Monaco.

Wells, R.S., A.J. Westgate, H.L. Rhinehart, P. Cunningham, J. Whaley, D.P. Costa, A.J. Read, T. Hepburn, M. Baran, C. Koberna, and T. Cox.  1998.  Gulliver's travels:  first records of long distance movements of offshore bottlenose dolphins.  World Marine Mammal Science Conference, 20-24 January 1998, Monaco.

Urian, K.W., R.S. Wells, M.D. Scott, A.B. Irvine, A.J. Read and A.A. Hohn.  1998.  When the shark bites: An analysis of shark bite scars on wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Sarasota, Florida.   World Marine Mammal Science Conference, 20-24 January 1998, Monaco.

Tyack, P.L., D.P. Nowacek, R.S. Wells and M.P. Johnson.  1998.  A two-channel acoustic data logger for free-ranging bottlenose dolphins.  World Marine Mammal Science Conference, 20-24 January 1998, Monaco. (presented by Tyack)

Wells, R.S.  1997.  Bottlenose dolphin stock structure.  Atlantic Scientific Review Group Meeting, 5 November 1997, Charleston, SC.

Moors, T.L. and R.S. Wells.  1997.  Is the 'menage a trois' important in wild bottlenose dolphin mating systems?: Behavioral patterns of breeding females in Sarasota, Florida.  Animal Behavior Society Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD. (presented by Moors)

Wells, R.S.  1996.  Site-specific monitoring.  National Marine Fisheries Service Program Review, 11-13 December 1996, Miami, FL.

Wells, R.S. and S. Hofmann.  1996.  Management measures for wild bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf  Coast, Florida.  Earthwatch Annual Conference, 25-27 October 1996, Cambridge, MA.

Bassos-Hull, K., K. Urian, and R.S. Wells.  1996.  Low-level monitoring of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Tampa Bay, Florida.  Tampa Bay Area Scientific Information Symposium, 21-23 October 1996, Clearwater, FL. (presented by Bassos-Hull)

Wells, R.S. 1996.  Biology and conservation of bottlenose dolphins.  Dolphin Watching Symposium, 13 October 1996, Amakusa, Japan.

Wells, R.S. 1996.  The life history and social organization of Sarasota Bay's bottlenose dolphins: perspectives from 25 years of research.  24th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Aquatic Mammals, 15-18 March 1996, Albufeira, Portugal.

Wells, R.S., M.M. Wells, and K.B. Hull. 1996.  Return to the wild of two bottlenose dolphins after two years in captivity.  24th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Aquatic Mammals, 15-18 March 1996, Albufeira, Portugal.