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Spatio-temporal distribution of Manta birostris in French Guiana waters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 September 2014

Marc Girondot*
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, UMR 8079, CNRS, Orsay F-91405, France
Sophie Bédel
Affiliation:
Kap'Natirel. c/o Diaz-Monnerville, Section Soldat, 97114 Trois-Rivières, Guadeloupe FWI.
Lise Delmoitiez
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, UMR 8079, CNRS, Orsay F-91405, France
Mathilde Russo
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, UMR 8079, CNRS, Orsay F-91405, France
Johan Chevalier
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, UMR 8079, CNRS, Orsay F-91405, France Réserve Naturelle de l'Amana, 270 avenue Paul Henri, 97319 Awala Yalimapo, Guyane française
Loreleï Guéry
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, UMR 8079, CNRS, Orsay F-91405, France
Sonia Ben Hassine
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, UMR 8079, CNRS, Orsay F-91405, France Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, B.P 1171, Sfax 3000, Tunisie
Hugo Féon
Affiliation:
Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, UMR 8079, CNRS, Orsay F-91405, France
Imed Jribi
Affiliation:
Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, B.P 1171, Sfax 3000, Tunisie
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: M. Girondot, Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, UMR 8079, CNRS, Orsay F-91405, France email: marc.girondot@u-psud.fr

Abstract

Manta ray (Manta birostris) is the largest ray species, but little information is available regarding its biology, distribution and migratory pattern. During an aerial survey conducted in French Guiana waters (South America) in 2006, the observation of several dozen individuals all swimming in the same direction prompted us to develop a research programme on this species as part of an environmental impact assessment for oil drilling. Overall, 117 aerial surveys were performed over 3 years in order to complete a database for this species. In 54 of these flights, a total of 138 individuals were observed. A phenological analysis of this species in French Guiana waters shows a peak presence between July and December, which correlates with sea surface temperature and net primary production in the ocean. The primary production in French Guiana waters is particularly active during this period and could explain the annual pattern for this filter-feeding animal.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2014 

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