Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I would like to share our new paper published in Marine Biology. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions (guilherme....@gmail.com).
Title: Identifying suitable areas for common bottlenose dolphin in anthropized waters Authors: Guilherme Maricato, Rodrigo Tardin, Liliane Lodi, Leonardo L. Wedekin, Fábio G. Daura-Jorge, Israel Maciel, Tatiana F. Maria and Maria Alice S. Alves Abstract: Understanding the processes that determine the occurrence of species, especially for those exposed to human activities, is key to appropriate management. The common bottlenose dolphin, *Tursiops truncatus*, is well studied worldwide, but very little attention has been given to transient groups of this species and how such groups are exposed to human activities. Here, we modeled and mapped how the environment and human activities drive bottlenose dolphin habitat suitability, and residence patterns in an anthropized area of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. To predict habitat suitability, we ran 300 distribution models, including six algorithms, and generated an ensemble model. In parallel, we used photo-identification techniques to investigate dolphins' residence patterns. Our results demonstrated that primary productivity, seabed slope and port activities explained dolphins’ habitat suitability. The most suitable areas included coastal waters, nearby port complexes and shipping routes. We also identified a low degree of residence in Cabo Frio and Rio de Janeiro city waters, but calves were constantly sighted there, indicating an important area for caring and nursing. The high overlap between the dolphins’ most suitable areas and human activities, such as ports, vessel traffic and fisheries spots, plus the presence of calves in these areas, highlights the need for safeguard measurements to protect these animals from anthropogenic threats. Our results can be used to support management decisions, such as fisheries regulations and the creation of new marine protected areas to conserve critical habitats for this species. Kind regards, Guilherme -- *Guilherme Maricato* *Ph.D. Candidate in Ecology and Evolution (Rio de Janeiro State University)* Marine Ecology and Conservation Lab (Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/ecomar.ufrj> | Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/ecomar_ufrj> | TikTok <https://www.tiktok.com/@ecomar_ufrj> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/ecomar_ufrj> | Website <https://ecomarufrj.com.br> | YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNCNp2KLXhQHEZZm9z0vBg>) Whales and Dolphins of Rio de Janeiro Project (Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/baleiasgolfinhosrj> | Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/baleiasgolfinhosrj> | YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEmyYtoNc9mDtL0w_5EYjpA>) Lattes <http://lattes.cnpq.br/0119708038699421> | ORCID <https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7813-0644> | ResearchGate <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Guilherme_Maricato> | Others <http://bit.ly/3rWxMqL>
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