Intraspecific and spatial variation in habitat use by sperm whales (<i>Physeter macrocephalus</i>) along the west coast of Martinique.

ABSTRACT: For a deep-diving cetacean species like the sperm whale, acoustics is a vital tool for research. This need is especially pressing in the eastern Caribbean, where the habitat of marine mammals overlaps with heavy maritime traffic, leading to noise pollution and an increased risk of vessel collisions. To mitigate this risk, understanding their habitat use is essential. Mature males are generally solitary and migrate over long distances, while females and immatures form stable social units in subtropical and tropical waters. In this study, we examined intraspecific variation in distribution and habitat use among individuals along the Caribbean coast of Martinique, using both visual and acoustic data. Over the course of 24 surveys, 19 aggregations involving a total of 74 individual sightings w

SUBMITTER: Laurent S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12269786 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature