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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.)

Trophic relationships and use of area of two sympatric small cetaceans in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean determined by carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes

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Author(s):
Campos, Laura B. [1] ; Santos, Marcos Cesar de O. [1]
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Biol Conservacao Mamiferos Aquat LABCMA, Dept Oceanog Biol, Inst Oceanog, Praca Oceanog 191, Cidade Univ, BR-05508120 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências; v. 93, n. 2 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Abstract As cetaceans are sentinels of the marine environment, studying their life history is of utmost importance in understanding their habits and their interaction with the environment. To achieve this goal, it is important to study their ecological niches through the investigation of their habitat use patterns and trophic relationships. This study aimed to evaluate if there are differences in the habitat use patterns and the trophic ecology of franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) and Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) accidentally caught off the south coast of São Paulo State, and Guiana dolphins biopsied in the Cananeia estuary, southeastern Brazil, based on the carbon and the nitrogen stable isotopes analysis. Isotopic ratios were estimated from skin samples. The isotopic niche size and overlap were calculated using the SIBER package (R software). The gathered results showed evidence of spatial segregation between Guiana dolphins and franciscanas. The Guiana dolphins sampled inside and outside the estuary showed evidence of trophic and spatial segregation. No difference in isotopic values between sexes was found for both species. Such differences between franciscanas and Guiana dolphins were expected as both species have distinct life histories as a result of different evolutionary pathways. (AU)