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Distribution and habitat modelling of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the eastern North Atlantic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2019

Ana M. Correia Open the ORCID record for Ana M. Correia [Opens in a new window] ,
Ágatha Gil ,
Raul Valente ,
Massimiliano Rosso ,
Graham J. Pierce  and
Isabel Sousa-Pinto
Ana M. Correia*
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Matosinhos 4450-208, Portugal Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto (FCUP), Porto 4169-007, Portugal
Ágatha Gil
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Matosinhos 4450-208, Portugal Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto (FCUP), Porto 4169-007, Portugal
Raul Valente
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Matosinhos 4450-208, Portugal Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto (FCUP), Porto 4169-007, Portugal
Massimiliano Rosso
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Matosinhos 4450-208, Portugal CIMA Research Foundation, Savona 17100, Italy
Graham J. Pierce
Affiliation:
Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (CSIC), Vigo, Pontevedra 36208, Spain Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB41 6AA, UK CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
Isabel Sousa-Pinto
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Matosinhos 4450-208, Portugal Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto (FCUP), Porto 4169-007, Portugal
*
Author for correspondence: Ana M. Correia, E-mail: anamafaldacorreia@gmail.com
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Abstract

The eastern North Atlantic (ENA) has many highly productive areas where several species of cetaceans have been recorded, with the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) being one of the most frequently sighted species. However, its spatial and temporal distribution in high seas is poorly known. The study presents the results from 5 years of cetacean monitoring in the ENA (2012–2016) aboard cargo ships that follow the routes from Continental Portugal to the Macaronesian archipelagos and north-west Africa. Common dolphin was the most frequently sighted cetacean with 192 occurrences registered on effort and an overall encounter rate of 0.36 sightings/100 nmi. The species was distributed in coastal and offshore waters, but absent from the Canaries and Cape Verde islands. Statistical ‘habitat’ models were developed to describe and explain the occurrence of sightings of the species: variables affecting detection of dolphins had a small impact and there were clear spatiotemporal distribution patterns, influenced to some degree by environmental variables. Predicted probability of occurrence was highest in coastal waters of continental Portugal and around the Azores. The models, combined with maps of distribution, were useful to identify important areas for the species, which could be the focus of future conservation efforts. Common dolphin presence was related to depth, distance to coast and seamounts, seabed slope, chlorophyll concentration, sea-surface temperature and sea level anomalies; the possible ecological significance of these relationships is explored.

Keywords

Cetaceansecological modellinghigh seasMacaronesiaspatial distributiontemporal distribution
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 99 , Issue 6 , September 2019 , pp. 1443 - 1457
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2019 

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