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2018 | Book

Mastozoology History and Perspectives in Latin America: Marine and Freshwater Mammals in Spotlight Read chapter Read first chapter

Advances in Marine Vertebrate Research in Latin America

Technological Innovation and Conservation

Editors: Marcos R. Rossi-Santos, Prof. Dr. Charles W. Finkl

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Book Series : Coastal Research Library

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik"

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About this book

This book gathers the most recent research findings on ecology and conservation of marine vertebrates in Latin America, making use of high technological methods to show readers the diversity of the marine research that has been conducted in these countries over the last decades. The book brings authors from more than 23 institutions of 7 different countries developing the most diverse research aiming at ocean conservation through the ecology of different vertebrate animals, such as whales, dolphins, manatees, turtles, seabirds and fish.
This book deals with technological advances and innovation in the ecology and conservation of marine vertebrates in Latin America. This eclectic collection is broad in scope but provides detailed summaries of new methods that are deployed in the study of marine environmental conservation. Key issues revolve around the development and application of educational methodologies in the field of marine vertebrate research, which provide a rational basis for better management of marine environments using modern techniques associated with GIS, satellite tracking, aerial systems, bioacoustics, biogeochemistry, genetics, underwater videography, species photoidentification, molecular biology, trophic ecological methods, ethological methods, and behavioural ecology, among others. Discussion and elucidation of these kinds of techniques are aimed at university-level students and post-graduate researchers. The scope of this volume includes whales, sharks, rays, dolphins, tropical fishes, turtles, manatees as well as aspects of Latin American marine ecosystem conservation. Researchers in this biogeographic region, as well as others involved with marine vertebrate research, will find this work essential reading.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter

Historical Development of Aquatic Mammal Research in Latin America

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Mastozoology History and Perspectives in Latin America: Marine and Freshwater Mammals in Spotlight
Abstract
This chapter will introduce readers to the mastozoology history of the marine and freshwater mammals of Latin America. Its inconspicuous beginning in the nineteenth century, its emergence in the mid-twentieth century and the retrospective of the last 32 years based on an evaluation of 16 bi-annual congresses of experts in aquatic mammals of Latin America. Brazil, Argentina and Chile have covered about 75% of all Latin American scientific production (from 29 countries), and studies about cetaceans covered 51–67% of all scientific production. Behavioral and population ecology studies have grown continuously and works focused on conservation, tourism, environmental education, the development of new research methods and new equipment are growing markedly.
Paulo C. Simões-Lopes
Chapter 2. Long-Term Monitoring of Dolphins in a Large Estuarine System of Southeastern Brazil
Abstract
Considering long-term study as one that through constant efforts subsidizes future studies, an example in Brazil is “Projeto Boto-Cinza” adding up more than 36 continued years of research and data application on Guiana dolphin biology, ecology and conservation. The first effort we dedicated was toward understand the fishing strategies used by this species, lasting about 10 years. Latter, as we gained knowledge in behavior study, the next step was to access parental care, youngling behavior, learning process of fishing, acoustic repertoire, and recently social networks. Throughout this time, it was possible to access also the mortality, and based on carcasses that gave such information, access parameters of life history such as reproductive anatomy of males and females, pregnancy period, birth size, and even age. Population density estimates could be done in different periods and areas; photo-identification enabled the detection of individual spatial fidelity. Modeling permitted to observe which parameters seem to be associated with the spatial distribution of population units inside the estuary. All these data contributed to a greater knowledge about the species, creation of public policies by conservation units’ chiefs, education purposes, and conservation of the species.
Emygdio L. A. Monteiro-Filho, Lucimary S. Deconto, Caio N. Louzada, Rebeca P. Wanderley, Daniela F. Godoy, Eric Medeiros
Chapter 3. An Integrated Framework to Assess the Carrying Capacity of Humpback Whale-Watching Tourism in Praia do Forte, Northeastern Brazil
Abstract
Whale-watching tourism has been growing in recent years in Praia do Forte, northeastern Brazil and to manage this activity in a sustainable manner it is important to determine its carrying capacity. However, an assessment of whale-watching carrying capacity requires an understanding of the biological, social and economic dimensions, as well as consideration of the several stakeholders involved and the current management capacity in place at a specific locality. Here we analyse the development of this activity in Brazil and Praia do Forte in recent years, the current state of knowledge about the potential impacts of whale-watching on humpback whales and the concept of tourism carrying capacity as it applies to whale-watching. We then bring all of these components together to propose an integrated framework to begin its assessment for Praia do Forte, northeastern Brazil. We conclude that whale-watching in Praia do Forte is currently a low-impact activity, with no evident deleterious biological effects on the target population although we still lack all necessary information to establish its carrying capacity. Therefore, we suggest limiting the activity to its current level, until more data and management capacity become available, and make recommendations to improve our understanding of the impacts of this activity and its sustainable management in this locality.
Luena Fernandes, Marcos R. Rossi-Santos

Technological Innovation for Marine Vertebrate Research in Latin America

Frontmatter
Chapter 4. Land-Based Station Studies of Aquatic Mammals in Latin America: Understanding Behavior for Conservation
Abstract
Behavioral studies are the key to understand animals and to build up the knowledge of their ecology playing a key role in investigating consequences of anthropogenic activities. Land-based station (LBS) enables broad view of animals in their habitat, not interfering in their natural behavior. This chapter presents an overview of LBS research comprehensiveness, limitations, methodologies and equipment, guiding readers to the main literature in the field. In Latin America LBS studies have been identified in 11 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. At least 27 species of aquatic mammals have been studied from land, comprising six Mysticetes, 18 Odontocetes, two Pinnipeds and a Sirenian. LBS research enhanced the knowledge of several species behavior, movement patterns, distribution, and habitat use. They have provided valuable support to conservation measures and coastal management in Latin America countries. Because of their relative low cost, simple logistics and diverse possibilities, LBS studies should be encouraged in all areas where aquatic mammals are present and observations from land are feasible.
Maria Emilia Morete, Daniela Abras, Cristiane C. A. Martins
Chapter 5. Marine Mammal Bioacustics Using Towed Array Systems in the Western South Atlantic Ocean
Abstract
Acoustic technologies have been applied in order to investigate and monitor underwater sound and have promoted achievements on the understanding of animal biology, behavior and ecology. Whales and dolphins produce sounds, which are unique, compared to other sounds in the marine environment. Passive acoustic surveys using a towed hydrophone array have become more accessible and widely used to explore patterns of occurrence, identifying critical habitats for several species of cetaceans and inferring about potential noise impacts over the populations. In this chapter we present characterization of acoustic signals produced by nine different cetacean species obtained form acoustic surveys. The species have species-specific qualities in their whistles and clicks. Acoustic methods can also offer population size estimates and identification of population structure.
Artur Andriolo, Franciele Rezende de Castro, Thiago Amorim, Gustavo Miranda, Juliana Di Tullio, Juliana Moron, Bruna Ribeiro, Gabriela Ramos, Raíssa Rodrigues Mendes
Chapter 6. Bioacoustic Techniques Applied to Odontocete Conservation and Management in Argentina
Abstract
Bioacoustics has become a tool of increasing importance to study cetaceans, due to its great potential to estimate population density, determine habitat use, and understand seasonal patterns, among other relevant ecological parameters. These applications convert passive acoustics into a non-invasive tool capable of gathering information for longer periods of time and in remote areas. After various efforts to conduct acoustic studies in the country, Argentina started to slowly grow in the field in the late 2000s. Since then, more reliable and systematic studies have been conducted on odontocetes as a baseline to better understand their biology, and to address potential effects of human activities for conservation purposes.
Given the advantages provided by this method, along with its relative low cost, we encourage other countries in Latin America to use this tool more often. Moreover, considering the most frequent difficulties and challenges we have reviewed from different research groups to carry out research on cetaceans using bioacoustics, we recommend establishing international collaborations and specialize human resources in the topic.
Mariana L. Melcón, M. Vanesa Reyes Reyes, Miguel Iñíguez
Chapter 7. Novel Research Techniques Provide New Insights to the Sea Turtle Life Cycle
Abstract
The recent increase in the knowledge of the complex life cycle of sea turtles in the world has been possible by the use of novel technologies, such as satellite telemetry and molecular analyses. These technological advances have also provided the opportunity to assess future impacts of climate change. In this chapter, you will find a brief description of these techniques and an overview of the most relevant results obtained through scientific research of sea turtles in Brazil.
Maria Ângela Marcovaldi, Alexsandro S. Santos, Paulo H. Lara, Milagros López-Mendilaharsu
Chapter 8. Opportunistic Sightings of Dolphins (MAMMALIA, CETACEA, DELPHINIDAE) in the North Coast of Bahia State, Northeastern Brazil, Between 2001 and 2006
Abstract
Using opportunistic platforms to study humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) during their breeding season, from July to November, we analyzed the distribution of dolphin sightings in a poorly studied area, the north coast of Bahia State, Brazil. Between 2001 and 2006, more than 500 days of surveys were performed (2360 h of effort), in which 93 groups of dolphins were sighted from Itacaré (14° 53′S, 38° 15′W) to Subaúma (12° 30′S; 37° 63′W): 58 (62.4%) bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus; 21 (22.6%) estuarine dolphin, Sotalia guianensis; 7 (7.5%) -toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis; 3 (3.2%) Clymene’s Dolphin, Stenella clymene; 2 (2.1%) pygmy killer whale, Feresa attenuata; 1 (1.1%) melon-headed dolphin, Peponocephala electra and 1 (1.1%) Atlantic Spotted dolphin, Stenella frontalis. Group size and depth range were: 1–30 for T. truncatus (10–150 m); 1–35 for S. guianensis (4–60 m); 1–6 for S. bredanensis (27–45 m); 1–100 for S. clymene (42–121 m); 5–6 for F. attenuata (97–200 m); 2 for S. frontalis at 51 m and 20 for P. electra at 150 m. The more frequent sightings of Tursiops truncatus and Sotalia guianensis are probably related to their known distribution patterns in Brazilian coastal waters. The sightings reported to S. guianensis add new information in a previously unstudied area. The records of pelagic species such as Stenella clymene, Feresa attenuata and Peponocephala electra, can be related to the narrow continental shelf of the studied region. The sightings presented here confirm the occurrence of two additional species (F. attenuata and S. frontalis) in the Bahia state, and reveal the wide diversity of cetaceans in this area. This study is an initial step to document and collaborate with the knowledge about the dolphin species that occur in the shore of Bahia.
Mateus Souza de Carvalho, Marcos R. Rossi-Santos, Elitieri Santos-Neto, Clarêncio G. Baracho
Chapter 9. Using Chemical Elements to the Study of Trophic and Spatial Ecology in Marine Mammals of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Abstract
The ecology of marine mammals has been largely benefited from the use of biogeochemical markers. In this chapter we compiled information about studies using these tracers, with the aim of highlighting their relevance to understand some aspects of the trophic and spatial ecology of cetaceans, pinnipeds and sirenians from southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SAO). Stable isotope analysis is currently the mostly applied technique for such studies and its use increased considerably in the last few years. It is based on the premise that stable isotope composition in the tissues of the consumers reflects the composition of their diet that is effectively assimilated. Depending on the element being analyzed, information about habitat use patterns, diet composition and trophic position of the organisms can be inferred. Trace element analysis is underexplored as ecological tracers for marine mammals. There is only one study that analyzed Ba/Ca ratios in teeth of marine and freshwater dolphins to describe their patterns of habitat use in Brazil. Despite the known limitations of these chemical tracers, their use have shed light into different aspects of marine mammals’ ecology that would be difficult or impossible to obtain with alternative approaches.
Elisa Seyboth, Silvina Botta, Eduardo Secchi

Conservation Ecology of Marine Vertebrate Research in Latin America

Frontmatter
Chapter 10. Elasmobranchs Consumption in Brazil: Impacts and Consequences
Abstract
Commercial fisheries struggle to apply regulatory and legal mechanisms that depend on reliable species-specific data, and the shark industry faces an even greater obstacle to transparency with sellers changing product names to overcome consumer resistance. Fraudulent representation or mislabeling of fish, including sharks and rays, has been recorded in some countries. In Brazil, for instance, sharks are sold as “cação” – a popular name attributed for any shark or ray species; however, according to consumer’s knowledge of a large city of southern Brazil, more than 70% of them are often unaware that “cação” refers to sharks. Today, the Brazilian market has a high interest in encouraging people to eat “cação” meat, mainly because of their attractive prices. This raise a number of questions, mainly in respect to the knowledge of people/consumers, as what are they eating, and why the Brazilian meat market has grown so much in the last years.
Hugo Bornatowski, Raul R. Braga, Rodrigo P. Barreto
Chapter 11. West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus in South America: Distribution, Ecology and Health Assessment
Abstract
The West Indian manatee inhabits exclusively tropical waters of Atlantic Ocean, from Virginia, in United States, to Alagoas, in Northeastern Brazil, in a fragmented way. In South America, low species density and difficulty to detect the animals that inhabit areas with murky waters, associated with a lower financial investment in research in the past, lead to a delay in manatee research. However, in the last decade, an increase in manatee research could be noted in the continent. Nevertheless, a significant part of this information is available only on theses, conference abstracts, reports, etc. Thus, this chapter aims to gather and update important information on the species, mainly on distribution, spatial ecology, feeding habits, genetics and health.
Ana C. O. de Meirelles, Vitor L. Carvalho, Miriam Marmontel
Chapter 12. Ecology and Conservation of Cetaceans of Costa Rica and Panama
Abstract
The cetacean species richness of Costa Rica and Panama represents about 36% of the species described worldwide. Within the economical coastal waters of these countries bottlenose dolphins, the pantropical spotted dolphins, the Guiana dolphin, and humpback whales are the most commonly observed. Their high sight fidelity and predictability has resulted in a rapid increase on the whale-watching industry, perhaps second to incidental mortality, when unregulated whale-watching can negatively affect coastal cetacean populations. In this Chapter, we provide a summary of the state of knowledge of the ecology and conservation status of the cetaceans of Costa Rica and Panama. Along this line, we describe the consensus of our small scientific community on what relates to future scientific research and conservation.
Laura J. May-Collado, Marisol Amador-Caballero, José Julio Casas, Mónica P. Gamboa-Poveda, Frank Garita-Alpízar, Tim Gerrodette, Rocío González-Barrientos, Gabriela Hernández-Mora, Daniel M. Palacios, José D. Palacios-Alfaro, Betzi Pérez, Kristin Rasmussen, Lissette Trejos-Lasso, Javier Rodríguez-Fonseca
Chapter 13. Anthropogenic Noise and Guiana Dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in Brazil: Ecological and Conservation Concerns
Abstract
The Sotalia guianensis dolphin occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean, from the south of Brazil to Central America. It is a coastal species, much susceptible to human impacts, as anthropogenic noises, which in general causes potential impacts in marine mammals’ populations, because the emission and reception of sound signals plays a complex and vital role in this populations’ ecology through many different ways. This study reviews the acoustic repertoire and potential anthropic impacts on populations of Guiana dolphin (S. guianensis) through its occurrence, and described and compared the anthropogenic noises with the acoustic repertoire of three Brazilian populations: Cananéia estuary – São Paulo State, Caravelas estuary – Bahia State and Pipa beach – Rio Grande do Norte State. Data was collected similarly in these three sites during boats surveys using hydrophones and audio recorders. Results showed overlapping of the S. guianensis repertoire and noises produced from boats, dredge activities and wood-barges, leading to harm on individuals and populations. This review has gathered important information supporting marine activity management, and can be used to evaluate acoustic impacts over cetaceans population.
Fábio de Sousa Pais, Rafaela Prado Cardoso, Marcos R. Rossi-Santos, Leonardo L. Wedekin, Flávio J. L. Silva, Emygdio L. A. Monteiro-Filho, Dalila Teles Martins Leão
Chapter 14. The Atlantic Goliath Grouper: Conservation Strategies for a Critically Endangered Species in Brazil
Abstract
Commonly known as the Atlantic Goliath Grouper, Epinephelus itajara (Lichtenstein 1822) is a marine fish in the family Epinephelidae. Because of slow growth, late maturity, large adult size (up to 2 m long and weighing 400 kg), and shallow coastal habitats, the species is highly vulnerable to anthropogenic activities, such as fishing and activities that cause habitat loss and reduce water quality. This endangered species (IUCN) is at great risk of being lost from Brazilian waters.
Maurício Hostim-Silva, Áthila A. Bertoncini, Maíra Borgonha, Jonas Rodrigues Leite, Matheus O. Freitas, Felippe Alexandre Daros, Leonardo S. Bueno, Ana Paula C. Farro, Christopher C. Koenig
Chapter 15. The Spreading Message in a Noisy World: Song Behavior and Acoustic Ecology in Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Abstract
In this chapter, the song behavior and acoustic ecology of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Brazilian breeding ground are documented, between 2005 and 2010 (July to October). Behavioral and ecological aspects such as group composition, spatial distribution, depth, tides and moon were analyzed, through boat surveys. We sighted 370 whale groups in 123 days, during a total of 912 h of sampling effort. In 36 days, 29% of the groups (n = 44; 82 individuals) were identified containing at least one singer male. Such groups were sighted along all the study area, mostly like alone individuals (n = 21 groups, 48%), followed by groups with two (n = 8; 18%), three (n = 3, 7%), four (n = 2, 4, 5%) individuals and also groups with female-calf pairs with one escort male (n = 4, 9%) or female-calf pairs plus two males (n = 1, 2%). Groups with singer males were sighted in a depth range of 16 and 173 m (mean = 54,6 ± 34,2 SD). The narrow continental shelf associated with the coastal distribution of the whales in the study area may influence in the group compositions containing singer males. So on, this work bring for the first time an ecological perspective of this recognized important singing behavior in this species, and also show the expansion of the acoustic activity, during the Brazilian breeding season, going far beyond the core area of Abrolhos Bank. Understanding the acoustic ecology of humpback whales, in which the song is performed, is crucial to provide insights into conservation measurements aiming to protect marine vertebrate and their habitat.
Marcos R. Rossi-Santos
Chapter 16. Conservation Advances for the Southern Right Whales in Brazil
Abstract
During the austral winter/spring time southern right whales occur in coastal waters of Brazil. The species was historically distributed between the southern and northeastern coast of Brazil but was severely depleted by commercial whaling until 1973. In the early 1980s, whales were ‘rediscovered’ in this region and have been studied there since then by the “Right Whale Project”, a research and conservation program created with the aim of ensure the survival and recovery of the right whale population in Brazilian waters. Their main aggregation area is in the shallow and protected bays of the central-southern coast of Santa Catarina State. This area is marine protected area – Right Whale Environmental Protection Area (RWEPA). This chapter provides information on the species research techniques and conservation advances in Brazil.
Karina Groch
Chapter 17. Behavior and Ecology of Endangered Species Living Together: Long-Term Monitoring of Resident Sympatric Dolphin Populations
Abstract
Sympatric species may exploit the same resources, potentially acting as competitors when resources are limited. For cetaceans, ecological separation between sympatric species is based on differences in diet and habitat use. The fransiscana dolphin Pontoporia blainvillei (Pontoporiidae) and the Guiana dolphin Sotalia guianesis (Delphinidae) live in sympatry along the southern and southeastern Brazilian coast, but Babitonga Bay is the only estuarine region in which these species occur throughout the year and live in direct sympatry. Twenty years of data on these populations give some indication of how this ecologically similar species share the same habitat. That coexistence is facilitated through differences in diet, distribution, and habitat use patterns. The Guiana dolphin is probably dominant in the niche partitioning system in Babitonga Bay. This fact, combined with small franciscana population size, makes the latter highly vulnerable to local extinction.
Marta J. Cremer, Annelise C. Holz, Camila M. Sartori, Beatriz Schulze, Renan L. Paitach, Paulo C. Simões-Lopes
Metadata
Title
Advances in Marine Vertebrate Research in Latin America
Editors
Marcos R. Rossi-Santos
Prof. Dr. Charles W. Finkl
Copyright Year
2018
Electronic ISBN
978-3-319-56985-7
Print ISBN
978-3-319-56984-0
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56985-7