Living in an estuary: Commersons dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii (Lacepede, 1804)), habitat use and behavioural pattern at the Santa Cruz River, Patagonia, Argentina
0106 biological sciences
QH301-705.5
Argentina
SH1-691
habitat use
marea
GC1-1581
Commerson's dolphin
Oceanography
01 natural sciences
uso de hábitat
comportamiento
behaviour
models
tide
modelos
Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling
tonina overa
14. Life underwater
Biology (General)
DOI:
10.3856/vol41-issue5-fulltext-17
Publication Date:
2013-11-25T20:38:35Z
AUTHORS (4)
ABSTRACT
Commerson's dolphins, Cephalorhynchus commersonii, suffer bycatch in fisheries and are target of dolphin-watching activities along Patagonia. Here we described dolphins' habitat use and behavioural pattern at the estuary of Santa Cruz River. Behavioural observations were made from vantage points using a spotting scope. Boat surveys were conducted randomly from Puerto Santa Cruz to the mouth of the river to analyze the habitat use. The survey area was divided into 1 km² cells and characterized with depth and benthic slope. The described behaviours for the Commerson's dolphin were: travelling, slow travelling, milling, resting, socializing, stationary swimming and diving. A new behavioural context was assigned to diving, a behaviour that showed a high frequency during downing tide, suggesting a benthic foraging strategy. Additionally, we found a strong influence of the tide on Commerson's dolphin behaviour. Habitat use models indicated that dolphins prefer shallow water inside the estuary. The knowledge of the behavioural patterns and the habitat use of these endemic species, in this unexplored area, provide tools for management and conservation purposes.
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