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Vincent Ridoux - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Ecological niche segregation within a community of sympatric dolphins around a tropical island
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2011Co-Authors: Jeremy J Kiszka, Pierre Richard, Benoit Simon-bouhet, Ludivine Martinez, Claire Pusineri, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Investigating ecological segregation among organisms of a given community is challenging, especially when these organisms share similar patterns of distribution, and similar size and morphology. Around the island of Mayotte, a diversified community of at least four sympatric delphinids is present year round within a very restricted range: the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), the pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), and the melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra). In addition, the Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) makes temporary incursions into peri-insular waters as well. This study aims to assess niche segregation among this tropical dolphin community. We hypothesized that each species occupies its own distinct niche, defined by the following axes: habitat, resources and time. We analysed habitat in relation to physiography, behavioural budgets and C and N stable isotope values from skin and blubber samples for each species. The results highlighted that habitat and behavioural budgets were relatively distinct among species, with few exceptions. However, in those species living on the outer reef slope where habitat and behaviour were not well discriminated, stable isotope analyses confirmed that species have different trophic levels (mostly reflected through δ15N values) and/or foraging habitat (mostly reflected through δ13C values). This study confirms that the use of multiple methodologies (habitat, behaviour and feeding ecology studies) help in discerning ecological niche segregation, especially when examining closely related species within a common restricted range.
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prey preferences among the community of deep diving odontocetes from the bay of biscay northeast atlantic
Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 2011Co-Authors: Jerome Spitz, Stephane Bertin, Jeremy J Kiszka, Alexandre Dewez, Yves Cherel, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), Sowerby's beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens), northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima) and pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) make up the large community of deep-diving odontocetes occurring off the Bay of Biscay, northeast Atlantic. The ecology of these toothed cetaceans is poorly documented worldwide. The present study described their prey preferences from stomach content analysis and showed resource partitioning within the assemblage. The majority of the species appeared to be mostly teutophageous. Fish was an important food source only for the Sowerby's beaked whale and, to a lesser extent, for the long-finned pilot whale. In terms of foraging habitats inferred from prey composition, either pelagic oceanic or demersal neritic habitats were exploited by toothed whales in the Bay of Biscay, with only the long-finned pilot whale foraging in the two habitats. Finally, with more than 14,000 identified cephalopods from 39 species, the present study highlighted also the poorly known deep-sea cephalopod community off the Bay of Biscay using top predators as biological samplers.
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Prey preferences among the community of deep-diving odontocetes from the
2011Co-Authors: Yves Cherel, Jeremy J Kiszka, Alexandre Dewez, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas ), Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra ), Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), Sowerby’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens), northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima) and pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) make up the large community of deep-diving odontocetes occurring off the Bay of Biscay, northeast Atlantic. The ecology of these toothed cetaceans is poorly documented worldwide. The present study described their prey preferences from stomach content analysis and showed resource partitioning within the assemblage. The majority of the species appeared to be mostly teutophageous. Fish was an important food source only for the Sowerby’s beaked whale and, to a lesser extent, for the long-finned pilot whale. In terms of foraging habitats inferred from prey composition, either pelagic oceanic or demersal neritic habitats were exploited by toothed whales in the Bay of Biscay, with only the long-finned pilot whale foraging in the two habitats. Finally, with more than 14,000 identified cephalopods from 39 species, the present study highlighted also the poorly known deep-sea cephalopod community off the Bay of Biscay using top predators as biological samplers.
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Structure of a toothed cetacean community around a tropical island (Mayotte, Mozambique Channel)
African Journal of Marine Science, 2010Co-Authors: Jeremy J Kiszka, Peter J. Ersts, Vincent RidouxAbstract:We describe the structure of a toothed cetacean community around the island of Mayotte (South-West Indian Ocean, 45°10′ E, 12°50′ S), using data collected from small boat-based surveys conducted between July 2004 and June 2006. In all, 16 odontocete species were recorded. Diversity (Shannon-Weaver index) was particularly high along the outer slope of the barrier reef. Patterns of spatial distribution underscore the existence of three main cetacean habitat types: the inner lagoon (Indo-Pacific bottlenosed dolphin Tursiops aduncus and humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis), the outer-reef slope (spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris, pantropical spotted dolphin S. attenuate and melon-headed whale Peponocephala electra) and oceanic waters deeper than 500 m (e.g. Blainville's beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris). Group characteristics were highly variable among species, with oceanic small delphinids characterised by larger group sizes than strictly coastal and non-delphinid oceanic species. The outer slope of the...
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the use of stable isotope analyses from skin biopsy samples to assess trophic relationships of sympatric delphinids off moorea french polynesia
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 2010Co-Authors: Jeremy J Kiszka, Michael M Poole, Pierre Richard, Marc Oremus, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Defining trophic relationships among organisms of a community is critical in ecology. However, the access to data is sometimes difficult, particularly in remote environments. Ecological niche segregation among the most common delphinid species was investigated: the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), the roughed-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), and the melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra). Resource partitioning was explored by analysing δ13C (reflecting foraging habitats) and δ15N stable isotopes (reflecting trophic level) from skin biopsies collected around Moorea from July to October 2002 to 2004. Results revealed that spinner dolphins had the lowest trophic level. The three other species had similar δ15N signatures. The most significant result is the differentiation of S. longirostris from S. bredanensis and G. macrorhynchus but not from the P. electra. For the latter three species, some degrees of overlap were apparent. For S. longirostris, S. bredanensis and G. macrorhynchus, variation of δ13C and δ15N stable isotope was not significant between sexes. This study suggests that stable isotopes reveal some degree of segregation and overlap within this delphinid community. However, fine-scale segregation processes may be concealed by stable isotope analyses, meaning that traditional dietary analyses investigations are complementary in answering questions related to niche segregation.
Jeremy J Kiszka - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Ecological niche segregation within a community of sympatric dolphins around a tropical island
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2011Co-Authors: Jeremy J Kiszka, Pierre Richard, Benoit Simon-bouhet, Ludivine Martinez, Claire Pusineri, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Investigating ecological segregation among organisms of a given community is challenging, especially when these organisms share similar patterns of distribution, and similar size and morphology. Around the island of Mayotte, a diversified community of at least four sympatric delphinids is present year round within a very restricted range: the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), the pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), and the melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra). In addition, the Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) makes temporary incursions into peri-insular waters as well. This study aims to assess niche segregation among this tropical dolphin community. We hypothesized that each species occupies its own distinct niche, defined by the following axes: habitat, resources and time. We analysed habitat in relation to physiography, behavioural budgets and C and N stable isotope values from skin and blubber samples for each species. The results highlighted that habitat and behavioural budgets were relatively distinct among species, with few exceptions. However, in those species living on the outer reef slope where habitat and behaviour were not well discriminated, stable isotope analyses confirmed that species have different trophic levels (mostly reflected through δ15N values) and/or foraging habitat (mostly reflected through δ13C values). This study confirms that the use of multiple methodologies (habitat, behaviour and feeding ecology studies) help in discerning ecological niche segregation, especially when examining closely related species within a common restricted range.
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prey preferences among the community of deep diving odontocetes from the bay of biscay northeast atlantic
Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 2011Co-Authors: Jerome Spitz, Stephane Bertin, Jeremy J Kiszka, Alexandre Dewez, Yves Cherel, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), Sowerby's beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens), northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima) and pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) make up the large community of deep-diving odontocetes occurring off the Bay of Biscay, northeast Atlantic. The ecology of these toothed cetaceans is poorly documented worldwide. The present study described their prey preferences from stomach content analysis and showed resource partitioning within the assemblage. The majority of the species appeared to be mostly teutophageous. Fish was an important food source only for the Sowerby's beaked whale and, to a lesser extent, for the long-finned pilot whale. In terms of foraging habitats inferred from prey composition, either pelagic oceanic or demersal neritic habitats were exploited by toothed whales in the Bay of Biscay, with only the long-finned pilot whale foraging in the two habitats. Finally, with more than 14,000 identified cephalopods from 39 species, the present study highlighted also the poorly known deep-sea cephalopod community off the Bay of Biscay using top predators as biological samplers.
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Prey preferences among the community of deep-diving odontocetes from the
2011Co-Authors: Yves Cherel, Jeremy J Kiszka, Alexandre Dewez, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas ), Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra ), Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), Sowerby’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens), northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima) and pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) make up the large community of deep-diving odontocetes occurring off the Bay of Biscay, northeast Atlantic. The ecology of these toothed cetaceans is poorly documented worldwide. The present study described their prey preferences from stomach content analysis and showed resource partitioning within the assemblage. The majority of the species appeared to be mostly teutophageous. Fish was an important food source only for the Sowerby’s beaked whale and, to a lesser extent, for the long-finned pilot whale. In terms of foraging habitats inferred from prey composition, either pelagic oceanic or demersal neritic habitats were exploited by toothed whales in the Bay of Biscay, with only the long-finned pilot whale foraging in the two habitats. Finally, with more than 14,000 identified cephalopods from 39 species, the present study highlighted also the poorly known deep-sea cephalopod community off the Bay of Biscay using top predators as biological samplers.
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Structure of a toothed cetacean community around a tropical island (Mayotte, Mozambique Channel)
African Journal of Marine Science, 2010Co-Authors: Jeremy J Kiszka, Peter J. Ersts, Vincent RidouxAbstract:We describe the structure of a toothed cetacean community around the island of Mayotte (South-West Indian Ocean, 45°10′ E, 12°50′ S), using data collected from small boat-based surveys conducted between July 2004 and June 2006. In all, 16 odontocete species were recorded. Diversity (Shannon-Weaver index) was particularly high along the outer slope of the barrier reef. Patterns of spatial distribution underscore the existence of three main cetacean habitat types: the inner lagoon (Indo-Pacific bottlenosed dolphin Tursiops aduncus and humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis), the outer-reef slope (spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris, pantropical spotted dolphin S. attenuate and melon-headed whale Peponocephala electra) and oceanic waters deeper than 500 m (e.g. Blainville's beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris). Group characteristics were highly variable among species, with oceanic small delphinids characterised by larger group sizes than strictly coastal and non-delphinid oceanic species. The outer slope of the...
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the use of stable isotope analyses from skin biopsy samples to assess trophic relationships of sympatric delphinids off moorea french polynesia
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 2010Co-Authors: Jeremy J Kiszka, Michael M Poole, Pierre Richard, Marc Oremus, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Defining trophic relationships among organisms of a community is critical in ecology. However, the access to data is sometimes difficult, particularly in remote environments. Ecological niche segregation among the most common delphinid species was investigated: the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), the roughed-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), and the melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra). Resource partitioning was explored by analysing δ13C (reflecting foraging habitats) and δ15N stable isotopes (reflecting trophic level) from skin biopsies collected around Moorea from July to October 2002 to 2004. Results revealed that spinner dolphins had the lowest trophic level. The three other species had similar δ15N signatures. The most significant result is the differentiation of S. longirostris from S. bredanensis and G. macrorhynchus but not from the P. electra. For the latter three species, some degrees of overlap were apparent. For S. longirostris, S. bredanensis and G. macrorhynchus, variation of δ13C and δ15N stable isotope was not significant between sexes. This study suggests that stable isotopes reveal some degree of segregation and overlap within this delphinid community. However, fine-scale segregation processes may be concealed by stable isotope analyses, meaning that traditional dietary analyses investigations are complementary in answering questions related to niche segregation.
Simone Baumann-pickering - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Limited trophic partitioning among sympatric delphinids off a tropical oceanic atoll
PloS one, 2017Co-Authors: Hillary S. Young, Lisa T. Ballance, Katherine M. Nigro, Douglas J. Mccauley, Erin M. Oleson, Simone Baumann-pickeringAbstract:Understanding trophic relationships among marine predators in remote environments is challenging, but it is critical to understand community structure and dynamics. In this study, we used stable isotope analysis of skin biopsies to compare the isotopic, and thus, trophic niches of three sympatric delphinids in the waters surrounding Palmyra Atoll, in the Central Tropical Pacific: the melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra), Gray's spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris longirostris), and the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). δ15N values suggested that T. truncatus occupied a significantly higher trophic position than the other two species. δ13C values did not significantly differ between the three delphinds, potentially indicating no spatial partitioning in depth or distance from shore in foraging among species. The dietary niche area-determined by isotopic variance among individuals-of T. truncatus was also over 30% smaller than those of the other species taken at the same place, indicating higher population specialization or lower interindividual variation. For P. electra only, there was some support for intraspecific variation in foraging ecology across years, highlighting the need for temporal information in studying dietary niche. Cumulatively, isotopic evidence revealed surprisingly little evidence for trophic niche partitioning in the delphinid community of Palmyra Atoll compared to other studies. However, resource partitioning may happen via other behavioral mechanisms, or prey abundance or availability may be adequate to allow these three species to coexist without any such partitioning. It is also possible that isotopic signatures are inadequate to detect trophic partitioning in this environment, possibly because isotopes of prey are highly variable or insufficiently resolved to allow for differentiation.
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ORIGINAL PAPER Acoustic behavior of melon-headed whales varies on a diel cycle
2016Co-Authors: Simone Baumann-pickering, Sean M. Wiggins, Marie A. Roch, Hans-ulrich Schnitzler, John A. HildebrAbstract:Abstract Many terrestrial and marine species have a diel ac-tivity pattern, and their acoustic signaling follows their current behavioral state. Whistles and echolocation clicks on long-term recordings produced by melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) at Palmyra Atoll indicated that these signals were used selectively during different phases of the day, strengthening the idea of nighttime foraging and daytime resting with afternoon socializing for this species. Spectral features of their echolocation clicks changed from day to night, shifting the median center frequency up. Additionally, click received levels increased with increasing ambient noise during both day and night. Ambient noise over a wide fre-quency band was on average higher at night. The diel adjust-ment of click features might be a reaction to acoustic masking caused by these nighttime sounds. Similar adaptations have been documented for numerous taxa in response to noise. Or it could be, unrelated, an increase in biosonar source levels and with it a shift in center frequency to enhance detection dis-tances during foraging at night. Call modifications in intensity, directionality, frequency, and duration according to echolocation task are well established for bats. This finding indicates that melon-headed whales have flexibility in their acoustic behavior, and they collectively and repeatedly adapt their signals from day- to nighttime circumstances
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Acoustic behavior of melon-headed whales varies on a diel cycle
Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 2015Co-Authors: Simone Baumann-pickering, Sean M. Wiggins, Marie A. Roch, Hans-ulrich Schnitzler, John A. HildebrandAbstract:Many terrestrial and marine species have a diel activity pattern, and their acoustic signaling follows their current behavioral state. Whistles and echolocation clicks on long-term recordings produced by melon-headed whales ( Peponocephala electra ) at Palmyra Atoll indicated that these signals were used selectively during different phases of the day, strengthening the idea of nighttime foraging and daytime resting with afternoon socializing for this species. Spectral features of their echolocation clicks changed from day to night, shifting the median center frequency up. Additionally, click received levels increased with increasing ambient noise during both day and night. Ambient noise over a wide frequency band was on average higher at night. The diel adjustment of click features might be a reaction to acoustic masking caused by these nighttime sounds. Similar adaptations have been documented for numerous taxa in response to noise. Or it could be, unrelated, an increase in biosonar source levels and with it a shift in center frequency to enhance detection distances during foraging at night. Call modifications in intensity, directionality, frequency, and duration according to echolocation task are well established for bats. This finding indicates that melon-headed whales have flexibility in their acoustic behavior, and they collectively and repeatedly adapt their signals from day- to nighttime circumstances.
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Discriminating features of echolocation clicks of melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and Gray's spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris longirostris).
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 2010Co-Authors: Simone Baumann-pickering, Sean M. Wiggins, John A. Hildebrand, Marie A. Roch, Hans-ulrich SchnitzlerAbstract:Spectral parameters were used to discriminate between echolocation clicks produced by three dolphin species at Palmyra Atoll: melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Gray’s spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris longirostris). Single species acoustic behavior during daytime observations was recorded with a towed hydrophone array sampling at 192 and 480 kHz. Additionally, an autonomous, bottom moored High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) collected acoustic data with a sampling rate of 200 kHz. Melon-headed whale echolocation clicks had the lowest peak and center frequencies, spinner dolphins had the highest frequencies and bottlenose dolphins were nested in between these two species. Frequency differences were significant. Temporal parameters were not well suited for classification. Feature differences were enhanced by reducing variability within a set of single clicks by calculating mean spectra for groups of clicks. Median peak frequencies of averaged clicks (group size 50) of melon-headed whales ranged between 24.4 and 29.7 kHz, of bottlenose dolphins between 26.7 and 36.7 kHz, and of spinner dolphins between 33.8 and 36.0 kHz. Discriminant function analysis showed the ability to correctly discriminate between 93% of melon-headed whales, 75% of spinner dolphins and 54% of bottlenose dolphins.
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Behavior of melon-headed whales, Peponocephala electra, near oceanic islands
Marine Mammal Science, 2009Co-Authors: Robert L. Brownell, Katherine Ralls, Simone Baumann-pickering, M. Michael PooleAbstract:Southall et al. (2006) concluded that a near mass stranding (MS) of melonheaded whales (MHWs), Peponocephala electra, in Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii, on 3–4 July 2004, was likely related to the operation of mid-frequency sonars (MFS). However, subsequent authors argued that the nearly simultaneous entry of MHWs into Sasanhaya Bay, Rota (∼5,740 km away) made this conclusion untenable. They suggested that both sightings, and other MSs of MHWs, could be related to lunar cycles. To resolve this question, we reviewed information on the biology and behavior of MHWs and compared the two sightings to observations of MHWs around Palmyra Atoll and Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia. We also tested for a relationship between observations and MSs of MHWs with lunar cycles. MHWs near many oceanic islands rest nearshore during the day and feed offshore in deeper water at night. The MHWs at Rota exhibited normal diurnal resting behavior as seen at Palmyra and Nuku Hiva, while those at Kauai showed milling behavior typically seen prior to MS events. Thus, these events were not similar. Neither
Pierre Richard - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Ecological niche segregation within a community of sympatric dolphins around a tropical island
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2011Co-Authors: Jeremy J Kiszka, Pierre Richard, Benoit Simon-bouhet, Ludivine Martinez, Claire Pusineri, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Investigating ecological segregation among organisms of a given community is challenging, especially when these organisms share similar patterns of distribution, and similar size and morphology. Around the island of Mayotte, a diversified community of at least four sympatric delphinids is present year round within a very restricted range: the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), the pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), and the melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra). In addition, the Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) makes temporary incursions into peri-insular waters as well. This study aims to assess niche segregation among this tropical dolphin community. We hypothesized that each species occupies its own distinct niche, defined by the following axes: habitat, resources and time. We analysed habitat in relation to physiography, behavioural budgets and C and N stable isotope values from skin and blubber samples for each species. The results highlighted that habitat and behavioural budgets were relatively distinct among species, with few exceptions. However, in those species living on the outer reef slope where habitat and behaviour were not well discriminated, stable isotope analyses confirmed that species have different trophic levels (mostly reflected through δ15N values) and/or foraging habitat (mostly reflected through δ13C values). This study confirms that the use of multiple methodologies (habitat, behaviour and feeding ecology studies) help in discerning ecological niche segregation, especially when examining closely related species within a common restricted range.
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the use of stable isotope analyses from skin biopsy samples to assess trophic relationships of sympatric delphinids off moorea french polynesia
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 2010Co-Authors: Jeremy J Kiszka, Michael M Poole, Pierre Richard, Marc Oremus, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Defining trophic relationships among organisms of a community is critical in ecology. However, the access to data is sometimes difficult, particularly in remote environments. Ecological niche segregation among the most common delphinid species was investigated: the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), the roughed-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), and the melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra). Resource partitioning was explored by analysing δ13C (reflecting foraging habitats) and δ15N stable isotopes (reflecting trophic level) from skin biopsies collected around Moorea from July to October 2002 to 2004. Results revealed that spinner dolphins had the lowest trophic level. The three other species had similar δ15N signatures. The most significant result is the differentiation of S. longirostris from S. bredanensis and G. macrorhynchus but not from the P. electra. For the latter three species, some degrees of overlap were apparent. For S. longirostris, S. bredanensis and G. macrorhynchus, variation of δ13C and δ15N stable isotope was not significant between sexes. This study suggests that stable isotopes reveal some degree of segregation and overlap within this delphinid community. However, fine-scale segregation processes may be concealed by stable isotope analyses, meaning that traditional dietary analyses investigations are complementary in answering questions related to niche segregation.
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A preliminary study of habitat and resource partitioning among co-occurring tropical dolphins around Mayotte, south-west Indian Ocean
Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 2009Co-Authors: Alexandra Gross, Jeremy J Kiszka, Pierre Richard, Olivier Van Canneyt, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Mayotte in the southwest Indian Ocean is characterized by high dolphin diversity. They may coexist within a fairly small area around the island because they exploit neither the same preferential habitats nor the same resources. This preliminary study aimed to investigate ecological niche segregation among these delphinid communities: the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops aduncus, the pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata, the spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, and the melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra. Two approaches were used. Habitat preferences were investigated by analysing dolphin sighting data and associated physiographical characteristics. Resource partitioning was explored by analysing C and N stable isotopes in skin and blubber biopsies. Only T. aduncus, which showed clear association with coastal habitats in the lagoon, differed from the others in terms of habitat preferences, characterised by shallow depth and slope, and proximity to the coast. All other species shared similar oceanic habitats immediately outside the lagoon, these being of higher depth and slope, greater distance from the coast and were not discernable by discriminant analysis. The two Stenella species and the melon-headed whale displayed very high overlap in habitat physiographic variables. The analysis of stable isotopes confirmed the ecological isolation of T. aduncus and revealed a clear segregation of P. electra compared to the two Stenella that was not apparent in the habitat analysis. This may reflect ecological differences that were not observable from diurnal surface observations.
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A preliminary study of habitat and resource partitioning among co-occurring tropical dolphins around Mayotte, southwest Indian Ocean
Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 2009Co-Authors: Alexandra Gross, Jeremy J Kiszka, Pierre Richard, Olivier Van Canneyt, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Mayotte in the southwest Indian Ocean is characterized by high dolphin diversity. They may coexist within a fairly small area around the island because they exploit neither the same preferential habitats nor the same resources. This preliminary study aimed to investigate ecological niche segregation among these delphinid communities: the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops aduncus, the pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata, the spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, and the melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra. Two approaches were used. Habitat preferences were investigated by analysing dolphin sighting data and associated physiographical characteristics. Resource partitioning was explored by analysing C and N stable isotopes in skin and blubber biopsies. Only T. aduncus, which showed clear association with coastal habitats in the lagoon, differed from the others in terms of habitat preferences, characterised by shallow depth and slope, and proximity to the coast. All other species shared similar oceanic habitats immediately outside the lagoon, these being of higher depth and slope, greater distance from the coast and were not discernable by discriminant analysis. The two Stenella species and the melon-headed whale displayed very high overlap in habitat physiographic variables. The analysis of stable isotopes confirmed the ecological isolation of T. aduncus and revealed a clear segregation of P. electra compared to the two Stenella that was not apparent in the habitat analysis. This may reflect ecological differences that were not observable from diurnal surface observations.
Alexandra Gross - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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A preliminary study of habitat and resource partitioning among co-occurring tropical dolphins around Mayotte, south-west Indian Ocean
Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 2009Co-Authors: Alexandra Gross, Jeremy J Kiszka, Pierre Richard, Olivier Van Canneyt, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Mayotte in the southwest Indian Ocean is characterized by high dolphin diversity. They may coexist within a fairly small area around the island because they exploit neither the same preferential habitats nor the same resources. This preliminary study aimed to investigate ecological niche segregation among these delphinid communities: the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops aduncus, the pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata, the spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, and the melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra. Two approaches were used. Habitat preferences were investigated by analysing dolphin sighting data and associated physiographical characteristics. Resource partitioning was explored by analysing C and N stable isotopes in skin and blubber biopsies. Only T. aduncus, which showed clear association with coastal habitats in the lagoon, differed from the others in terms of habitat preferences, characterised by shallow depth and slope, and proximity to the coast. All other species shared similar oceanic habitats immediately outside the lagoon, these being of higher depth and slope, greater distance from the coast and were not discernable by discriminant analysis. The two Stenella species and the melon-headed whale displayed very high overlap in habitat physiographic variables. The analysis of stable isotopes confirmed the ecological isolation of T. aduncus and revealed a clear segregation of P. electra compared to the two Stenella that was not apparent in the habitat analysis. This may reflect ecological differences that were not observable from diurnal surface observations.
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A preliminary study of habitat and resource partitioning among co-occurring tropical dolphins around Mayotte, southwest Indian Ocean
Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 2009Co-Authors: Alexandra Gross, Jeremy J Kiszka, Pierre Richard, Olivier Van Canneyt, Vincent RidouxAbstract:Mayotte in the southwest Indian Ocean is characterized by high dolphin diversity. They may coexist within a fairly small area around the island because they exploit neither the same preferential habitats nor the same resources. This preliminary study aimed to investigate ecological niche segregation among these delphinid communities: the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops aduncus, the pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata, the spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, and the melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra. Two approaches were used. Habitat preferences were investigated by analysing dolphin sighting data and associated physiographical characteristics. Resource partitioning was explored by analysing C and N stable isotopes in skin and blubber biopsies. Only T. aduncus, which showed clear association with coastal habitats in the lagoon, differed from the others in terms of habitat preferences, characterised by shallow depth and slope, and proximity to the coast. All other species shared similar oceanic habitats immediately outside the lagoon, these being of higher depth and slope, greater distance from the coast and were not discernable by discriminant analysis. The two Stenella species and the melon-headed whale displayed very high overlap in habitat physiographic variables. The analysis of stable isotopes confirmed the ecological isolation of T. aduncus and revealed a clear segregation of P. electra compared to the two Stenella that was not apparent in the habitat analysis. This may reflect ecological differences that were not observable from diurnal surface observations.