Dear MARMAM community, My co-authors and I are pleased to share our newest publication at Journal of Sea Research. The full article can be found here https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1cXku4wy0KlAnM and will be free access until march 28, 2021.
Citation: Marçalo A, Giménez J, Nicolau L, Frois J, Ferreira M, Sequeira M, Eira C, Pierce, GJ, Vingada J, 2021. Stranding patterns and feeding ecology of striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba, in Western Iberia (1981–2014). Journal of Sea Research 169 .101996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2021.101996 Abstract: The striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, is one of the most abundant cetacean species off the Western Iberian coast, however, studies on the species regarding biology, ecology, threats or conservation efforts are lacking. This study investigates stranding patterns (years 1981–2014) and diet (2002–2014) of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) off the Portuguese mainland coast. Stranded animals were sampled along the whole coast (n = 252). Most stranded striped dolphins were recorded in the first half of the year and strandings increased over time. Analysis of stomach contents (n = 36) showed that striped dolphins in the area are mostly piscivorous (80% by number and weight of the diet), taking pelagic, meso-pelagic and demersal species. In terms of reconstructed biomass prey, sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) were the most important. Prey items revealed that both sexes forage at a range of depths (pelagic and demersal systems) in both neritic and oceanic habitats, although females feed more often in coastal waters. Moreover, diet results also indicate that striped dolphins may co-occur with other neritic cetacean species, such as the common dolphin, Delphinus delphis, thus sharing some preferred prey species. The study revealed that striped dolphins on the Iberian coast interact with coastal fisheries sharing the same target species. Management measures for fisheries will need to be consistent with an ecosystem-based approach. if you have questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us. Kind regards, On behalf of my co-authors, Ana Marçalo Ana Marçalo, PhD Fisheries biologist; Post Doc; Invited Assistant Professor email: amarc...@ualg.pt; amarc...@gmail.com CCMAR - Centro de Ciências do Mar, Universidade do Algarve Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal http://ccmar.ualg.pt Office: L 23 Tlf: +351 289 800 051 (ext. 7394) https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ana_Marcalo2 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0485-341X Project iNOVPESCA - Reducing bycatch of cetaceans in Algarve ( https://www.facebook.com/inovpesca) Project RAAlg - Algarve Stranding Network (www.raalg.pt)
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