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Behavior and seasonal variation in the relative abundance of Commerson’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) in northern Patagonia, Argentina

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Abstract

Commerson’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) along the Patagonian coast of South America suffer incidental mortality in fisheries and are the target of a dolphin-watching industry. We describe the daily activity patterns and assess the variation in the relative abundance of the species near the northern boundary of its range. Information was gathered with a spotting scope from a cliff-top vantage point applying the method of scan sampling. Behaviors were categorized as individual feeding, cooperative feeding, directional swimming, socializing, and resting. These behaviors are similar to those observed in other species of small cetacean, but differences were found regarding the patterns of directional swimming and feeding techniques. Hunting tactics favored the association of terns with dolphin groups. No clear dial behavioral pattern was observed, but seasonal changes in the frequency of behaviors were recorded. Group and school sizes were larger during periods with colder sea surface temperature (SST). Seasonal abundance was correlated with SST, suggesting that at higher SST the species forsakes the area, probably in favor of coastal areas to the south with lower SST.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Research Council (CONICET-PIP 0742/98), the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (01-04030 A and 11679), the Fundación BBVA (BIOCON 04) and the GEF Project CNP-BB 27. Facilities were provided by Centro Nacional Patagónico (CONICET). The Government of Chubut Province and Rawson City provided useful help and the permission to carry out the study. The tour operators David Peralta (Servicios Náuticos Rawson SRL) and Gustavo Gonzáles (Toninas Adventure) and their crews provided invaluable collaboration and patience. The field assistants (Mariana Degratti, Griselda Garaffo, Alejandro Buren, and Nancy Mora) helped to collect and download data. Dr. Mark de Bruyn improved the language in a preliminary version, and two anonymous reviewers made helpful comments to improve the language and the presentation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Mamíferos Marinos (LAMAMA), Centro Nacional Patagónico, Blvd. Brown 2915, U9120ACF, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina

    M. A. Coscarella, S. N. Pedraza & E. A. Crespo

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  1. M. A. Coscarella
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  2. S. N. Pedraza
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  3. E. A. Crespo
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Correspondence to M. A. Coscarella.

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Coscarella, M.A., Pedraza, S.N. & Crespo, E.A. Behavior and seasonal variation in the relative abundance of Commerson’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) in northern Patagonia, Argentina. J Ethol 28, 463–470 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-010-0206-4

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