202
varying between 1 and 30 individuals for group, with 359 min of direct observation,
a variation of 1–52 min. The species was registered in depths varying between 10
and 150 m. The sea conditions (Beaufort scales) varied from 0 to 4 and the intensity
of the wind varied of 5–15 knots. The species was distributed throughout all area of
study, from Itacaré to Praia do Forte, about 200 km distant. Most of the sightings
occurred in front of Praia do Forte. The species was registered mostly near to the
coast (10 m of depth), despite some sightings in deeper areas (150 m) (Fig. 8.5).
Sotalia guianensis (P. J. Van Bénéden, 1864)
The Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis, (Fig. 8.6) was the second more representative species during the period of the study, occurring between the years of 2003 and
2006. A total of 115 individuals was recorded, divided into 21 groups, varying from
1 to 35 individuals per group. The time of direct observation of the species was of
344 min, ranging from 1 to 20 min. The species occurred between depths of 4 and
60 m. The sea conditions varied of 0–3 and the intensity of the wind varied of 3–12
knots. The species also was distributed throughout all area of study, however with
intervals in some specific areas. Its presence always occurred next to the coast,
entered of rivers and Baía de Todos os Santos (Fig. 8.7).
Steno bredanensis (Lesson, 1828)
For the rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis, (Fig. 8.8) 27 individuals were
registered, divided in 7 groups, with a variation of 1–6 individuals for group size. It
had 26 min of direct observation, varying of 1–5 min. It occurred between depths of
27 and 45 m. The sea conditions varied of 1–5 and the intensity of the wind varied
of 9–16 knots. Only one of all the sightings did not occur in the north coast of Bahia,
Fig. 8.4 The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) the most sighted species in this study in the
North Coast of Bahia during the period of 2001 to 2006 (Photo: Marcos Rossi-Santos/IBJ)
M.S. de Carvalho et al.
varying between 1 and 30 individuals for group, with 359 min of direct observation,
a variation of 1–52 min. The species was registered in depths varying between 10
and 150 m. The sea conditions (Beaufort scales) varied from 0 to 4 and the intensity
of the wind varied of 5–15 knots. The species was distributed throughout all area of
study, from Itacaré to Praia do Forte, about 200 km distant. Most of the sightings
occurred in front of Praia do Forte. The species was registered mostly near to the
coast (10 m of depth), despite some sightings in deeper areas (150 m) (Fig. 8.5).
Sotalia guianensis (P. J. Van Bénéden, 1864)
The Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis, (Fig. 8.6) was the second more representative species during the period of the study, occurring between the years of 2003 and
2006. A total of 115 individuals was recorded, divided into 21 groups, varying from
1 to 35 individuals per group. The time of direct observation of the species was of
344 min, ranging from 1 to 20 min. The species occurred between depths of 4 and
60 m. The sea conditions varied of 0–3 and the intensity of the wind varied of 3–12
knots. The species also was distributed throughout all area of study, however with
intervals in some specific areas. Its presence always occurred next to the coast,
entered of rivers and Baía de Todos os Santos (Fig. 8.7).
Steno bredanensis (Lesson, 1828)
For the rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis, (Fig. 8.8) 27 individuals were
registered, divided in 7 groups, with a variation of 1–6 individuals for group size. It
had 26 min of direct observation, varying of 1–5 min. It occurred between depths of
27 and 45 m. The sea conditions varied of 1–5 and the intensity of the wind varied
of 9–16 knots. Only one of all the sightings did not occur in the north coast of Bahia,
Fig. 8.4 The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) the most sighted species in this study in the
North Coast of Bahia during the period of 2001 to 2006 (Photo: Marcos Rossi-Santos/IBJ)
M.S. de Carvalho et al.