Temporal patterns in acoustic presence and foraging activity of oceanic dolphins at seamounts in the Azores.

ABSTRACT: Several seamounts have been identified as hotspots of marine life in the Azores, acting as feeding stations for top predators, including cetaceans. Passive acoustic monitoring is an efficient tool to study temporal variations in the occurrence and behaviour of vocalizing cetacean species. We deployed bottom-moored Ecological Acoustic Recorders (EARs) to investigate the temporal patterns in acoustic presence and foraging activity of oceanic dolphins at two seamounts (Condor and Gigante) in the Azores. Data were collected in March-May 2008 and April 2010-February 2011. Dolphins were present year round and nearly every day at both seamounts. Foraging signals (buzzes and bray calls) were recorded in >87% of the days dolphin were present. There was a strong diel pattern in dolphin acoustic occu

SUBMITTER: Cascao I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7046721 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature