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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.)

Cetaceans along the southeastern Brazilian coast: occurrence, distribution and niche inference at local scale

Full text
Author(s):
Correa e Figueiredo, Giovanna [1] ; do Amaral, Karina Bohrer [2] ; de Oliveira Santos, Marcos Cesar [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Biol Oceanog, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Dept Zool, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: PeerJ; v. 8, OCT 5 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

It is deemed important to understand cetacean occurrence and distribution to comprehend their ecological roles. The geographical occurrence of species' niche can be used to better describe their potential distribution. The niche can be defined using environmental variables. Those variables are considered static and not affected by biological activities. The present study goal was to assess the occurrence and distribution of cetaceans along the southeastern Brazilian coast, as well as to define the fundamental and realized niche of each species and to investigate niche overlap at local scale. The environmental requirements for each species were also investigated throughout statistical tests. Sighting data were obtained through oceanographic surveys conducted between 2012 and 2015. The environmental variables available on MARSPEC and the software NicheA were used for the ecological niche modeling. A total of twelve cetacean species were identified and the potential distribution areas of the six commonest ones were defined. Even though the species presented different environmental preferences, most of them had partial overlap among niches and potential distribution areas. The environmental heterogeneity of the study area might support the co-occurrence of different species with different environmental requirements. (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