Dataset Information

Density-dependent changes in the distribution of Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) in the breeding ground Peninsula Valdes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) population of the South-western Atlantic Ocean is recovering. In the breeding ground of Peninsula Valdés, as a consequence of the population growth, expansion to new areas by some types of groups and a change in the habitat use patterns at the coastal area were recorded.

Methods

We analysed information gathered from aerial surveys conducted along the coast of Peninsula Valdés in 15 years of effective sampling in a 19-year span. These surveys were divided into four periods (1999-2000; 2004-2007; 2008-2012 and 2013-2016) and estimated the density of whales in a 620 km of coast divided into segments of five km.

Results

The density of the whales increased to near three whales per km² (averaged over each period) in the high-density areas. When this mean number was reached, the significant changes in density in the adjacent areas were detected in the following period. These changes were a decrease in density in the high-density areas and an increase of density in the low-density areas.

Discussion

We propose that a threshold in density elicits a response in habitat use, with the Mother-calf pairs remaining in the area, while the other groups are displaced to new areas.

SUBMITTER: Sueyro N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6286797 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Density-dependent changes in the distribution of Southern Right Whales (<i>Eubalaena australis</i>) in the breeding ground Peninsula Valdés.

Sueyro Nicolas N Crespo Enrique Alberto EA Arias Magdalena M Coscarella Mariano Alberto MA

PeerJ 20181206

<h4>Background</h4>The Southern Right Whale (<i>Eubalaena australis</i>) population of the South-western Atlantic Ocean is recovering. In the breeding ground of Peninsula Valdés, as a consequence of the population growth, expansion to new areas by some types of groups and a change in the habitat use patterns at the coastal area were recorded.<h4>Methods</h4>We analysed information gathered from aerial surveys conducted along the coast of Peninsula Valdés in 15 years of effective sampling in a 19 ...[more]

PMID: 30564513

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