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Seasonal distribution of white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) in UK waters with new information on diet and habitat use

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 July 2008

Sarah J. Canning ,
M. Begoña Santos ,
Robert J. Reid ,
Peter G.H. Evans ,
Richard C. Sabin ,
Nick Bailey  and
Graham J. Pierce
Sarah J. Canning*
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB24 2TZ, UK The Sea Watch Foundation, 11 Jersey Road, Oxford, OX4 4RT, UK
M. Begoña Santos
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB24 2TZ, UK Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, PO Box 1552, 36200 Vigo, Spain
Robert J. Reid
Affiliation:
Wildlife Unit, Scottish Agricultural College Veterinary Services, Drummond Hill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness, Scotland, IV2 4JZ, UK
Peter G.H. Evans
Affiliation:
The Sea Watch Foundation, 11 Jersey Road, Oxford, OX4 4RT, UK
Richard C. Sabin
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
Nick Bailey
Affiliation:
Fisheries Research Services Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB11 9DB, UK
Graham J. Pierce
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB24 2TZ, UK
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Sarah J. Canning, School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB24 2TZ, UK email: s.j.canning@abdn.ac.uk
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Abstract

The white-beaked dolphin, Lagenorhynchus albirostris, is commonly found throughout the North Sea and shelf waters of the North Atlantic. Little is known about the behaviour and ecology of this species, especially in British coastal waters. In this paper we present details of the seasonal and geographical distribution of white-beaked dolphins around the UK, along with new information on their diet and habitat use. Analysis of historical stranding records show a segregation of the sexes, with a significant difference between when males and females strand in UK waters. There has been a steady decline in reported strandings since the 1970s and seasonal differences in the distribution of strandings suggest that sea temperature may limit white-beaked dolphin distribution around the British coast. Stomach contents' analysis, from dolphins stranded mainly on the Scottish east coast, identified haddock and whiting as the predominant fish species being taken. Boat surveys were performed along the north-east Scottish coast to examine relationships between topography, environmental conditions, dolphin presence and group size. Dolphin presence was related to seabed slope and aspect while variation in temperature explained almost 45% of variation in observed group size, with smaller groups associated with higher sea temperatures.

Keywords

white-beaked dolphindistributionhabitat usedietstrandingstemperatureenvironmental relationships
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 88 , Special Issue 6: Marine Mammals , September 2008 , pp. 1159 - 1166
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2008

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