Habitat partitioning, co-occurrence patterns, and mixed-species group formation in sympatric delphinids.

ABSTRACT: Numerous species have been reported to form mixed-species groups, however, little is known about the interplay between niche partitioning and mixed-species group formation. Furthermore, it is often unclear whether species come together by chance due to overlapping habitat preferences, by shared attraction to resources, or by attraction between them. We assessed habitat partitioning, co-occurrence patterns, and mixed-species group formation of sympatric Australian humpback (Sousa sahulensis) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) around the North West Cape, Western Australia, with a joint species distribution model and temporal analyses of sighting data. Australian humpback dolphins preferred shallower and more nearshore waters than Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, yet the

SUBMITTER: Syme J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9984456 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature