Susana N. Pedraza

Fishery and Ontogenetic Driven Changes in the Diet of the Spiny Dogfish, Squalus acanthias, in Patagonian Waters, Argentina

The diet of the spiny dogfish in northern and central Patagonian waters was studied from the by-catch of the bottom trawling fisheries directed to Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi and Argentine red shrimp Pleoticus muelleri between 1996 and 1998. Food habits were analyzed in relation to sex and maturity of sharks. Also, the relationship between diet and abundance of the main prey was explored. Intraspecific diet comparisons were performed. Differences in diet were found between immature individuals, mature males, and mature females. The Argentine shortfin squid Illex argentinus, the Argentine hake and ctenophores Pleurobrachia pileus were the most important prey for the spiny dogfish. Immature and small individuals were pelagic predators. After sexual maturity, the spiny dogfish shifted its diet. Mature and large individuals tended to reduce the consumption of ctenophores, and increase the consumption of demersal and benthic species. Previous diet studies on the spiny dogfish in 1984–1985 and 1994 indicated that the Argentine hake was the most important prey. In the present study, carried out in 1998, squid was the most important prey, followed by the hake. This diet change was related to the major decrease of hake due to overfishing and the increase of squid abundance between 1994 and 1999.The diet of the spiny dogfish in northern and central Patagonian waters was studied from the by-catch of the bottom trawling fisheries directed to Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi and Argentine red shrimp Pleoticus muelleri between 1996 and 1998. Food habits were analyzed in relation to sex and maturity of sharks. Also, the relationship between diet and abundance of the main prey was explored. Intraspecific diet comparisons were performed. Differences in diet were found between immature individuals, mature males, and mature females. The Argentine shortfin squid Illex argentinus, the Argentine hake and ctenophores Pleurobrachia pileus were the most important prey for the spiny dogfish. Immature and small individuals were pelagic predators. After sexual maturity, the spiny dogfish shifted its diet. Mature and large individuals tended to reduce the consumption of ctenophores, and increase the consumption of demersal and benthic species. Previous diet studies on the spiny dogfish in 1984–1985 and 1994 indicated that the Argentine hake was the most important prey. In the present study, carried out in 1998, squid was the most important prey, followed by the hake. This diet change was related to the major decrease of hake due to overfishing and the increase of squid abundance between 1994 and 1999.

INCIDENTAL CATCH OF DOLPHINS IN TRAWLING FISHERIES OFF PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA: CAN POPULATIONS PERSIST?

The incidental mortality of dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) in the Patagonian trawling fishery is a well-known problem, especially in mid-water trawl fisheries for shrimp and anchovy. Therefore, it is necessary to determine if recent levels of dolphin bycatch are compatible with the persistence of the dusky dolphin population. This was assessed by comparing annual bycatch rates with a sequence of critical values. These values were based on the maximum rate of increase (rmax) = λ − 1, where λ is the finite rate of increase. The finite rate of increase was estimated from a Leslie matrix where Monte Carlo procedures were employed to incorporate parameter uncertainties (age at first reproduction, survival rates, and fertility). Model life tables were used for survival, and reproductive parameters were estimated from available data on calving interval and age at sexual maturity. Uncertainties associated with annual bycatch rates were also included in the analysis through another randomization procedure that incorporated the variability in dolphin catch per unit effort, nominal fishing effort, and population size. This modeling approach rendered frequency distributions for the parameters of interest. Considering the critical values for incidental mortality rate as (1/2)R = (1/2)rmax and (1/4)R = (1/4)rmax, and a 2-yr calving interval scenario, the probability that recent dolphin bycatch rates exceed the maximum annual removal rates were higher than 0.3. These results suggest that incidental mortality due to fishing could be, or may become, a threat for the dusky dolphin population off Patagonia. Therefore, a more accurate and intense monitoring program is needed to avoid the decline of this population. Also, this issue should be included in the fishery management strategies to be implemented in the near future.

Diurnal Behavior of Dusky Dolphins, Lagenorhynchus obscurus, in Golfo Nuevo, Argentina

Abstract Standardized measures of behavior can be powerful tools for predicting effects of human activities on natural populations of mammals. We quantified the diurnal activity budget of dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) in Golfo Nuevo, Argentina, by examining variation in activity as a function of season and age composition of social groups. Observations were made from a research vessel during summer and autumn from 2001 to 2005. Focal group-follow methodology was used. The predominant activity in each social group was recorded using instantaneous sampling, with a 2-min interscan interval. The main daytime activity of dusky dolphins was traveling, followed by milling and feeding. Mother and calf pairs spent more time milling and resting, whereas larger groups of adults and juveniles as well as mixed–age-class groups spent more time traveling and feeding. Although a seasonal pattern of variation in group size and composition was found, little seasonal variation was found in activity budgets, which were almost constant during daylight hours. The activity budget generated by this study provides a baseline for detection of behavioral differences associated with tourism and other human activity in the region.

Effects of Tour Boats on Dolphin Activity Examined with Sensitivity Analysis of Markov Chains

In Patagonia, Argentina, watching dolphins, especially dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus), is a new tourist activity. Feeding time decreases and time to return to feeding after feeding is abandoned and time it takes a group of dolphins to feed increase in the presence of boats. Such effects on feeding behavior may exert energetic costs on dolphins and thus reduce an individuals survival and reproductive capacity or maybe associated with shifts in distribution. We sought to predict which behavioral changes modify the activity pattern of dolphins the most. We modeled behavioral sequences of dusky dolphins with Markov chains. We calculated transition probabilities from one activity to another and arranged them in a stochastic matrix model. The proportion of time dolphins dedicated to a given activity (activity budget) and the time it took a dolphin to resume that activity after it had been abandoned (recurrence time) were calculated. We used a sensitivity analysis of Markov chains to calculate the sensitivity of the time budget and the activity-resumption time to changes in behavioral transition probabilities. Feeding-time budget was most sensitive to changes in the probability of dolphins switching from traveling to feeding behavior and of maintaining feeding behavior. Thus, an increase in these probabilities would be associated with the largest reduction in the time dedicated to feeding. A reduction in the probability of changing from traveling to feeding would also be associated with the largest increases in the time it takes dolphins to resume feeding. To approach dolphins when they are traveling would not affect behavior less because presence of the boat may keep dolphins from returning to feeding. Our results may help operators of dolphin-watching vessels minimize negative effects on dolphins.

Influence of body size and ranging patterns on delphinid sociality: Associations among Commerson's dolphins

Abstract We investigated the association patterns of 48 identifiable Commersons dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) photographed 2 or more times over a 2-year period in Bahía Engaño, Chubut, Argentina. The associations among them were not different from random for short time periods (7 days) but were significantly different from random for longer periods. Lagged identification rate and lagged association rate models show that dolphins remained in the area on average 15 days and then moved away as the original groups dissolved. Commersons dolphins appear to have a fission–fusion society, and the observed strength of their associations is in concordance with the predictions regarding their body size and ranging patterns. The dolphins seem to rely on Bahía Engaño as a core area for most of their activities, but the aggregations are labile and some individuals remain associated in a more stable manner with only a few other individuals.

Testing Bergmann’s rule and the Rosenzweig hypothesis with craniometric studies of the South American sea lion

We tested the validity of Bergmann’s rule and Rosenzweig’s hypothesis through an analysis of the geographical variation of the skull size of Otaria flavescens along the entire distribution range of the species (except Brazil). We quantified the sizes of 606 adult South American sea lion skulls measured in seven localities of Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, and the Falkland/Malvinas Islands. Geographical and environmental variables included latitude, longitude, and monthly minimum, maximum, and mean air and ocean temperatures. We also included information on fish landings as a proxy for productivity. Males showed a positive relationship between condylobasal length (CBL) and latitude, and between CBL and the six temperature variables. By contrast, females showed a negative relationship between CBL and the same variables. Finally, female skull size showed a significant and positive correlation with fish landings, while males did not show any relationship with this variable. The body size of males conformed to Bergmann’s rule, with larger individuals found in southern localities of South America. Females followed the converse of Bergmann’s rule at the intraspecific level, but showed a positive relationship with the proxy for productivity, thus supporting Rosenzweig’s hypothesis. Differences in the factors that drive body size in females and males may be explained by their different life-history strategies. Our analyses demonstrate that latitude and temperature are not the only factors that explain spatial variation in body size: others such as food availability are also important for explaining the ecogeographical patterns found in O. flavescens.