On the feeding habit of the Guiana Dolphin Sotalia guianensis (van Bénedèn, 1864) (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Delphinidae) in southeastern Brazil (~220S): has there been any change in more than two decades?

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Ana Paula Madeira Di Beneditto
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4248-9380
Clara da Cruz Vidart Badia
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1168-0721
Salvatore Siciliano
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0124-8070

Abstract

Along the north and central coast of Rio de Janeiro State (22025’S–23000’S), southeastern Brazil, the Guiana Dolphin Sotalia guianensis forages on neritic prey, mainly fish.  From the analysis of the dolphin’s stomach contents and the identification of partially digested prey, it was verified that the most frequent prey species were young specimens of Trichiurus lepturus.  Comparing our results with previous studies on the feeding habits of Guiana Dolphin in the same region, we noticed the maintenance of its feeding preferences during more than two decades, indicating little or no change in the use of prey by this top predator. 

Article Details

Section
Short Communications
Author Biographies

Ana Paula Madeira Di Beneditto, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Av. Alberto Lamego 2.000, 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.

Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais

 

Clara da Cruz Vidart Badia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto 35400-000, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil

Laboratório de Ecologia Evolutiva de Insetos de Dossel e Sucessão Natural

Salvatore Siciliano, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz Pavilhão Mourisco - sala 122, Av. Brasil 4.365, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Marinhos da Região dos Lagos

 

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