Water temperature drives the segregation between common and Atlantic spotted dolphins in Azorean watersOBIS
The coexistence of sympatric species, which share similar ecological requirements and compete for resources in the same area, requires mechanisms to reduce interspecific competition. In the Azores, common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) exhibit a stron...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-10-01
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| Series: | Global Ecology and Conservation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989425003701 |
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| Summary: | The coexistence of sympatric species, which share similar ecological requirements and compete for resources in the same area, requires mechanisms to reduce interspecific competition. In the Azores, common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) exhibit a strong seasonal pattern, with common dolphins’ presence decreasing in summer while Atlantic spotted dolphins’ presence increases. This study analyzed a long-term sightings dataset (May-September 2001–2015) using multiple species distribution models to gain a deeper understanding of their segregation mechanisms by examining their distribution and habitat overlap. Sea surface temperature (SST) was the most important driver of the distribution of both species, with a marked threshold around 21ºC. Below this temperature, common dolphins were the dominant species having a widespread distribution, while Atlantic spotted dolphins were nearly absent. Above this threshold, the presence of common dolphins decreased sharply, and Atlantic spotted dolphins dominated. Additionally, the intra-monthly distribution of both species and their spatial overlap were primarily affected by monthly SST anomalies and their proximity to the identified threshold. These findings indicate a temperature-based temporal segregation between common and Atlantic spotted dolphins. Investigating their ecological segregation provides valuable insights into how sympatric species coexist in shared habitats and reduce their interspecific competition. Moreover, understanding this mechanism is crucial for predicting how climate change may reshape their future distribution and to define effective management plans and conservation strategies for these species. |
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| ISSN: | 2351-9894 |