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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Movements and habitat use of bottlenose dolphins,Tursiops truncatus, in south-eastern Brazil

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Author(s):
Paschoalini, Victor Uber [1] ; Santos, Marcos Cesar de Oliveira [1]
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Oceanog, Praca Oceanog 191, BR-05508120 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom; v. 100, n. 4, p. 651-662, JUN 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) have been surveyed for at least two decades on the southern Brazilian coast. However, little is known about their distribution and habitat use in lower latitudes of the South-western Atlantic Ocean. Aiming to study the movements and distribution of the species along the south-eastern Brazilian coast, we made a comparison of photo-identified individuals of the species catalogued in 21 cruises conducted between 2012 and 2015. Additionally, we performed stable isotope analyses of carbon and nitrogen in skin samples (N = 35) to provide some insights of dolphin habitat use and trophic ecology through comparisons among individuals of distinct surveyed sectors (northern and southern) and sex. A total of 177 individuals were identified. Re-sightings (N = 24) occurred at intervals from 82 to 979 days at distances from 7 to 179 km. No individual was sighted in both sectors, suggesting spatial segregation. Isotopic comparisons showed no significant differences in carbon and nitrogen signatures between distinct sectors. However, ecological divergences were found when we divided the samples by gender. Wider isotopic niches were found for the northern bottlenose dolphinsvsthe southern ones, which could be related to temporal and spatial variation in the availability of resources, as well as possible differences in the home ranges of males and females in each region. This study represents a preliminary evaluation of ecological aspects of bottlenose dolphins along the Brazilian south-eastern coast, however, long-term studies on the feeding ecology and habitat use of this species are important to further improve our knowledge. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 11/51543-9 - Cetacean occurrence, distribution and movements along the coast of São Paulo State
Grantee:Marcos César de Oliveira Santos
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants