Patterns of Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Humpback Whales at the Southern Limit of the Southeast Pacific Breeding Area

摘要: Understanding the patterns of spatial and temporal distribution in threshold habitats highly migratory endangered species is important for understanding their habitat requirements recovery trends. Herein, we present new data about humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) neritic waters off northern coast Peru: an area that constitutes a transitional path from cold, upwelling to warm equatorial where breeding located. Data was collected during four consecutive austral winter/spring seasons 2010 2013, using whale-watching boats as platforms research. A total 1048 distributed between 487 groups were sighted. The humpbacks resembled characteristic segregation whale according size/age class social context habitats; mother calf pairs very shallow close coast, while dyads, trios or more widely moderate depths over continental shelf break. Sea surface temperatures (range: 18.2–25.9°C) coastal slightly colder than those closer oceanic realm, likely due influence cold upwelled Humboldt Current system. Our results provide evidence southward extension region Southeast Pacific. Integrating this information with knowledge rest foraging grounds would enhance our current population dynamics trends species.