Modelling sperm whale habitat preference: a novel approach combining transect and follow data
Modelling sperm whale habitat preference: a novel approach combining transect and follow data
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DOI：
10.3354/meps09236
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发表时间：
2011-01-01
影响因子：
2.5
通讯作者：
Rendell, Luke
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Pirotta, Enrico;Matthiopoulos, Jason;Rendell, Luke
抹香鲸的栖息地喜好在地中海仍然知之甚少，尽管该种群被世界自然保护联盟列为濒危物种。最大限度地利用多个数据源的技术对于改善这种情况很重要。这项工作详细评估了抹香鲸在巴利阿里群岛周围的分布和栖息地使用情况，使用了一种新的分析框架，该框架结合了样带和跟踪数据，同时考虑了存在的任何自相关性。在专门的研究巡航期间(2003年至2008年)，抹香鲸通过沿搜索轨迹定期收听来定位，然后进行声学跟踪。共遇到抹香鲸56次，跟踪时间从几小时到3d不等。用Logistic广义加性模型模拟研究区域内鲸鱼出现的概率作为环境变量的函数，并用广义估计方程来解释自相关。结果表明，抹香鲸并不统一使用该地区，地形对它们的分布起着关键作用。此外，研究发现，独居的个体使用栖息地的方式与群体不同。这种分离似乎是由水温驱动的，可能反映了不同的需要或种内竞争。通过揭示抹香鲸在这样一个关键区域的栖息地偏好，这项研究代表着朝着实施对该种群的保护措施迈出的重要一步。
Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus habitat preferences are still poorly understood in the Mediterranean, despite the population being classified as 'Endangered' by the IUCN. Techniques to make the best use of multiple data sources are important in improving this situation. This work provides a detailed evaluation of sperm whale distribution and habitat use around the Balearic Islands using a novel analytical framework that combines transect and follow data while accounting for any autocorrelation present. During dedicated research cruises (2003 to 2008), sperm whales were located by listening at regular intervals along a search track and subsequently followed acoustically. Sperm whales were encountered 56 times and followed for periods ranging from a few hours to 3 d. Logistic Generalized Additive Models were used to model the probability of whale presence across the study area as a function of environmental variables, and Generalized Estimating Equations were used to account for autocorrelation. The results suggest that sperm whales do not use the region uniformly and that topography plays a key role in shaping their distribution. Moreover, solitary individuals were found to use the habitat differently from groups. This segregation appeared to be driven by water temperature and might reflect different needs or intraspecific competition. By shedding light on sperm whale habitat preference in such a critical area, this study represents an important step towards the implementation of conservation measures for this population.