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Occurrence of hourglass dolphin (Lagenorhynchus cruciger) and habitat characteristics along the Patagonian Shelf and the Atlantic Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean

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Abstract

The hourglass dolphin, Lagenorhynchus cruciger, is one of the smallest cetaceans found in Antarctic waters. Although frequently observed, this is one of the least studied species of dolphin. In this study, we investigate the occurrence of hourglass dolphin in the South-West Atlantic and Southern Ocean from 42°S to 63°S and characterize the oceanographic and environmental features associated with their occurrence. Sighting data were collected during two scientific cruises in December 2009 and January and February 2011 and integrated into a geographical information system with environmental variables such as sea surface temperature, ocean colour, depth, distance to oceanographic fronts and distance from shore. We used a principal component analysis (PCA) to identify patterns in data and a non-hierarchic cluster analysis (K means) to classify observations into groups. A total of 19 sightings (96 individuals) were recorded. Group size ranged from one to twelve dolphins (mean 5.05). We could differentiate two groups in relation to the environmental conditions where animals were found, one group occurring in shallow coastal waters and the other occurring in deeper and colder waters further offshore. The present study contributes novel information on environmental measures associated with hourglass dolphin distribution in the South-West Atlantic and Southern Oceans. Additionally, it includes relatively high sighting clusters of this species in two highly productive and biodiverse areas (Burdwood Bank/Isla de los Estados and the South Shetland Islands).

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Acknowledgments

This research was possible with the support of the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) and the Wildlife Conservation Society. We are grateful to Monica Torres, Lida Pimper and Natalia Paso Viola for participating and collecting data during the cetacean sightings surveys. We especially thank the captains and the crews on board R/V Puerto Deseado, for all their assistance and cooperation during the surveys. Special thanks are extended to Marcela Liljesthrom and Steve Daltrey for helping with the English edition and to Rebecca Pirzl, Deborah Thiele and three anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments. The work of NAD is under a postdoctoral fellowship from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) of Argentina.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC), Bernardo Houssay 200, 9410, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

    Natalia Dellabianca, Gabriela Scioscia, Adrián Schiavini & Andrea Raya Rey

  2. Museo Acatushún de Aves y Mamíferos Marinos Australes (AMMA), Sarmiento 44, 9410, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

    Natalia Dellabianca

  3. Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300, Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, 10460, USA

    Adrián Schiavini

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  1. Natalia Dellabianca
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  2. Gabriela Scioscia
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  3. Adrián Schiavini
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  4. Andrea Raya Rey
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Correspondence to Natalia Dellabianca.

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Dellabianca, N., Scioscia, G., Schiavini, A. et al. Occurrence of hourglass dolphin (Lagenorhynchus cruciger) and habitat characteristics along the Patagonian Shelf and the Atlantic Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean. Polar Biol 35, 1921–1927 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-012-1217-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-012-1217-0

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