Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Patterns Of Cetacean Sighting Distribution In The Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone Of Costa Rica Based On Data Collected From 1979-2001, Laura Johanna May-Collado, Tim Gerrodette, John Calambokidis, Kristin Rasmussen, Irena Sereg
Patterns Of Cetacean Sighting Distribution In The Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone Of Costa Rica Based On Data Collected From 1979-2001, Laura Johanna May-Collado, Tim Gerrodette, John Calambokidis, Kristin Rasmussen, Irena Sereg
Department of Biological Sciences
Nineteen species of cetaceans (families Balaenopteridae, Kogiidae, Physeteridae, Ziphiidae and Delphinidae) occur in the Costa Rican Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Based on data recorded from the EEZ by the Southwest Fisheries Service Center, Cascadia Research Collective, and CIMAR between 1979- 2001, we mapped the distribution of 18 cetacean species. Our results suggest that the majority of the cetacean species use primarily oceanic waters, particularly those species within the families Balaenopteridae, Kogiidae, Physeteridae and Ziphiidae. Members of the family Delphinidae showed a wide variety of distribution patterns: seven species are widespread throughout the EEZ, four appear to be exclusively pelagic, …