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Occurrence and habitat use of Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Cabo Frio region, South-eastern Brazil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 October 2016

Israel S. Maciel*
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, km 7, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro 23890-970, Brazil Laboratório de Bioacústica e Ecologia de Cetáceos, Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, km 7 Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro 23890-970, Brazil
Rodrigo H. Tardin
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Bioacústica e Ecologia de Cetáceos, Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, km 7 Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro 23890-970, Brazil Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida São Francisco Xavier, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
Sheila M. Simão
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Bioacústica e Ecologia de Cetáceos, Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, km 7 Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro 23890-970, Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: I.S. Maciel Laboratório de Bioacústica e Ecologia de Cetáceos, Departamento de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, km 7 Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro 23890-970, Brazil Email: ismaciel@ufrrj.br

Abstract

Ninety-six field trips were conducted between summer 2010 and 2012 in order to understand the occurrence and habitat use of Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Cabo Frio region, South-eastern Brazil. Bryde's whales were present in the study area between November and July, being observed during all seasons, but occur more frequently during the autumn (Nindividuals = 16) and spring (Nindividuals = 13), followed by summer (Nindividuals = 5) and winter (Nindividuals = 2), respectively. Bryde's whales were observed in water depths ranging from 20.1–100 m. Furthermore, during 2240 min of video recordings, the most frequent behaviour observed was foraging (40.2%; 900 min). Travelling comprised 28.1% (630 min) of observations, while in 33.1% (710 min) behaviour could not be determined. Taking into account the pattern of occurrence, the use of deeper bathymetric bins and the frequency observed, the foraging behaviour of Bryde's whales observed in our study seems to be associated to prey dynamics. Our data show that the study area is frequently used for foraging by this species in Brazilian waters.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2016 

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