委内瑞拉东南加勒比海岸七种海洋鲸类的潜在地理分布

本研究阐述了委内瑞拉沿海最常见的海洋鲸类的潜在地理分布情况。通过GIS分析,鲸类分布与地形和深度是相反的,以此可以获得鲸类潜在的分布图。已报告确认了16个物种(有402个目击报告),其中小布氏鲸(Balaenoptera edeni)、座头鲸(Megaptera novaeangliae)、海豚(Delphinus spp.)、圭亚那侏型豚(Sotalia guianensis)、花斑原海豚(Stenella frontalis)、长吻原海豚(Stenella longirostris)和宽吻海海豚(Tursiops truncatus)是最常见的。小布氏鲸和宽吻海海豚有可能分布于整个海岸,包括江河区域。座头鲸则可能季节性地集中分布在大陆架上的海岛沿岸和浅水区域。海豚(Delphinus spp.)有可能分布于高边坡区或沿海上升流区。花斑原海豚可能分布在东北区的西部,中部沿海以及与委内瑞拉海岸平行的岛屿周围。长吻原海豚则分布于浅海和远海区域。在一些高产的生态系统内新的物种可能正在形成,而这些潜在可能的分布图可以作为在高产生态系统内确立关键栖息地的标准,由此我们可以在委内瑞拉水域为鲸类建立新的保护区。

Potential geographical distribution of seven species of marine cetaceans reported in Venezuela, Southeast Caribbean

This study describes the potential geographical distribution of the most frequently sighted marine cetaceans in Venezuelan waters.Through GIS analysis,cetacean sightings were contrasted to topography and depth in order to generate distribution maps.Sixteen species(402 sighting records)were reported.Out of these,Balaenoptera edeni,Megaptera novaeangliae,Delphinus spp.,Sotalia guianensis,Stenella frontalis,Stenella longirostris and Tursiops truncatus were the most frequently sighted.Balaenoptera edeni and Tursiops truncatus might occupy the whole coast,including estuarine areas.The seasonal distribution of humpback whales is probably concentrated on insular coasts and shallow waters of the continental shelf.Delphinus spp.could be associated to high slope areas or coastal upwelling zones.Stenella frontalis is probably present in the western part of the Northeastern region,central coast and the parallel islands to the Venezuelan coast.Stenella longirostris could be in neritic and pelagic areas.Potential maps could be useful as baselines to establish critical habitat in a productive ecosystem where speciation may be occurring,and to declare new protected areas for cetacean conservation in Venezuelan waters.