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Abundance of small cetaceans in waters of the central Spanish Mediterranean

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Abstract

Seasonal aerial surveys were conducted in the waters of the central Spanish Mediterranean from 2001 to 2003 using the line transect sampling methodology to estimate cetacean abundance. The density of the three most abundant species, striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), was estimated. In the case of the first two species, the density was estimated accounting for the proportion of submerged animals, while for Risso’s dolphin only the surface density could be estimated. The striped dolphin was the most abundant species in the study area with a mean density of 0.489 dolphins km−2(95% CI = 0.339–0.705) and a mean abundance of 15,778 dolphins (95% CI = 10,940–22,756). This density is comparable to that obtained in the International Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary. Striped dolphins were observed throughout the whole year and no seasonal changes in the density were detected. The mean density of bottlenose dolphins was an order of magnitude lower than that of striped dolphins (0.041 dolphins km−2; 95% CI = 0.023–0.075) with a mean abundance of 1,333 dolphins (95% CI = 739–2,407). The Risso’s dolphin had a surface estimated density of 0.015 dolphins km−2 (95% CI = 0.005–0.046) and a mean abundance of 493 dolphins (95% CI = 162–1,498). These results provide valuable biological information useful to develop conservation plans and establish a baseline for future population trend studies.

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Acknowledgements

This study was carried out thanks to the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Environment. The support of the Conselleria de Territorio y Vivienda of the Generalitat Valenciana particularly of J. Jimenez and the ALNITAK ONG especially of A. Cañadas and J. A. Vazquez is greatly appreciated. Thanks are due to all the observers who assisted in data collection: J. Martínez, P. Gonzalez, J. Barona, K. Lehnert and D. Perdiguero. The help of Dr. G. Donovan in methodological questions is also appreciated. Special thanks are due to J. Tomás and C. Agustí for their valuable contribution and support in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departmento de Zoología Marina, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, P.O. Box 22085, 46071, Valencia, Spain

    Amaia Gómez de Segura & J. A. Raga

  2. Centro Nacional Patagónico (CONICET) and Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia, Blvd. Brown 3600, 9120, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina

    E. A. Crespo & S. N. Pedraza

  3. Sea Mammal Research Unit, Gatty Marine Laboratory, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK

    P. S. Hammond

Authors
  1. Amaia Gómez de Segura
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  2. E. A. Crespo
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  3. S. N. Pedraza
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  4. P. S. Hammond
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  5. J. A. Raga
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Correspondence to Amaia Gómez de Segura.

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Communicated by S.A. Poulet, Roscoff

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Gómez de Segura, A., Crespo, E.A., Pedraza, S.N. et al. Abundance of small cetaceans in waters of the central Spanish Mediterranean. Mar Biol 150, 149–160 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0334-0

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