Temporal patterns in acoustic presence and foraging activity of oceanic dolphins at seamounts in the Azores

摘要: Several seamounts have been identified as hotspots of marine life in the Azores, acting feeding stations for top predators, including cetaceans. Passive acoustic monitoring is an efficient tool to study temporal variations occurrence and behaviour vocalizing cetacean species. We deployed bottom-moored Ecological Acoustic Recorders (EARs) investigate patterns presence foraging activity oceanic dolphins at two (Condor Gigante) Azores. Data were collected March-May 2008 April 2010-February 2011. Dolphins present year round nearly every day both seamounts. Foraging signals (buzzes bray calls) recorded >87% days dolphin present. There was a strong diel pattern behaviour, with higher detections echolocation vocalizations during night social daylight hours. data demonstrate that small consistently use Condor Gigante forage night. These results suggest these likely are important areas dolphins. This contributes better understanding ecology provides new insights into role seamount habitats predators.