Linking small pelagic fish and cetacean distribution to model suitable habitat for coastal dolphin species, Delphinus delphis and Tursiops truncatus, in the Greek Seas (Eastern Mediterranean)

摘要: A large-scale assessment of the summertime suitable habitat for Delphinus delphis (short-beaked common dolphin) and Tursiops truncatus (common bottlenose in Greek Seas (Eastern Mediterranean) was conducted using data from dedicated opportunistic cetacean surveys published records. Using a presence/absence approach, generalized additive models were applied to define suite environmental, bathymetric biotic factors that best describe dolphin spatial distribution, during early (May, June, July) late (August, September) summer. A geographic information system (GIS) used integrate sightings with environmental characteristics, distance coast sardine probability presence. These variables considered as good proxies defining species-suitable within study area's coastal environment. The final selected produce annual maps presence species entire Seas, measure suitability. Based on mean standard deviation period GIS techniques subsequently determine persistent (areas high low variation) occasional (high each species. Results showed there areas For dolphin, higher occurred closer shore, concentrations chlorophyll-a. In both seasons, North Aegean Sea Inner Ionian Archipelago indicated most distribution. Persistent included enclosed seas, continental shelf waters, waters surrounding islands. The are discussed along deficiencies future implications conservation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.