Seasonal trends in whale shark Rhincodon typus sightings in an established tourism site in the Gulf of California,Mexico |
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| Authors: | Darren Andrew Whitehead David Petatán Ramírez Damien Olivier Rogelio Gonzalez Armas Francesca Pancaldi Felipe Galvan-Magana |
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| Institution: | 1. Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, La Paz, México;2. Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur. Departamento Académico de Biología Marina Carretera Transpeninsular, La Paz, México |
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| Abstract: | The number of individual whale shark Rhincodon typus sightings registered October 2015–March 2018 in Bahia de La Paz, Mexico, ranged from 73 to 129 animals per season (total 1662), with the majority of them identified as males. Density plot maps showed high correlations in sightings between sample seasons and revealed potential hotspot areas. Our study provides an essential baseline of information for the management of whale shark conservation and the associated touristic activities in the region. |
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| Keywords: | conservation distribution endangered species Mexico Rhincodon typus |
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