16
Keywords Sotalia guianensis • Cananéia estuary • Guiana dolphin • Paranaguá
estuary • Projeto Boto-Cinza
2.1 Historic Background
Although not being common, researchers developed in African ecosystems several
natural history long-term studies – those in which constant efforts subsidizes future.
Some examples of these studies are Jane Goodall’s with chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), Craig Packer’s with lions (Panthera leo), Holly Dublin’s with elephants
(Loxodonta africana), Robert Sapolsky’s with baboons (Papio cynocephalus and
Papio anubis), Laurence Frank’s with hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), among others.
Despite the challenges that arise in marine environment long-term studies, a
handful of good examples can here be listed. Regarding these studies, we point out
efforts conducted by Roger Paine as of 1967, initially dedicated to Humpback
whales (Megaptera novaeanglia) in the United States, then to cetacean conservation, and more recently to Right whales (Eubalaena australis) in Argentina coast.
Also, Paul Spong and collaborators since the 1970s with Killer whales (Orcinus
orca) in Vancouver Island, Canada, and by John Reynolds with Manatees in
(Trichecus manatus) in Florida also since the 1970s.
Particularly in the Brazilian coast, different studies have been made in long-term
projects such as the ones conducted by Flávio J. Lima Silva and José Martins Silva
Júnior with Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) in Fernando de Noronha
Archipelago, the ones by Leonardo Flach and Elaine Ferreira with Guiana dolphin
(Sotalia guianensis) in Sepetiba Bay, and the ones by Marta J. Cremer with
Franciscanas (Pontoporia blainvillei) in Babitong Bay. All of the above lasting more
than 15 years of integrated research. Adding up more than 36 years of uninterrupted
studies in the Cananéia estuary in Southeastern Brazil, the “Projeto Boto-Cinza”
studies gave support for the presentation here made about aspects of biology, ecology, and conservation studies about this species.
2.2 Target Species
Sotalia guianensis (Fig. 2.1) is a Delphinidae with wide coastal distribution between
Honduras (Edwards and Schnell 2001) and Baía Norte, southern Brazil (SimõesLopes 1988). Since its description, this species received different denominations,
having been originally described as Delphinus guianensis van Bénéden, 1864
(Hershkovitz 1966). With a review by Gray in 1866, the species started to belong
to Sotalia, not Delphinus, remaining for about 100 years. By this time, the
Sotalia had three species: S. fluviatilis (Gervais and Deville 1853) in Amazon
E.L.A. Monteiro-Filho et al.
Keywords Sotalia guianensis • Cananéia estuary • Guiana dolphin • Paranaguá
estuary • Projeto Boto-Cinza
2.1 Historic Background
Although not being common, researchers developed in African ecosystems several
natural history long-term studies – those in which constant efforts subsidizes future.
Some examples of these studies are Jane Goodall’s with chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), Craig Packer’s with lions (Panthera leo), Holly Dublin’s with elephants
(Loxodonta africana), Robert Sapolsky’s with baboons (Papio cynocephalus and
Papio anubis), Laurence Frank’s with hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), among others.
Despite the challenges that arise in marine environment long-term studies, a
handful of good examples can here be listed. Regarding these studies, we point out
efforts conducted by Roger Paine as of 1967, initially dedicated to Humpback
whales (Megaptera novaeanglia) in the United States, then to cetacean conservation, and more recently to Right whales (Eubalaena australis) in Argentina coast.
Also, Paul Spong and collaborators since the 1970s with Killer whales (Orcinus
orca) in Vancouver Island, Canada, and by John Reynolds with Manatees in
(Trichecus manatus) in Florida also since the 1970s.
Particularly in the Brazilian coast, different studies have been made in long-term
projects such as the ones conducted by Flávio J. Lima Silva and José Martins Silva
Júnior with Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) in Fernando de Noronha
Archipelago, the ones by Leonardo Flach and Elaine Ferreira with Guiana dolphin
(Sotalia guianensis) in Sepetiba Bay, and the ones by Marta J. Cremer with
Franciscanas (Pontoporia blainvillei) in Babitong Bay. All of the above lasting more
than 15 years of integrated research. Adding up more than 36 years of uninterrupted
studies in the Cananéia estuary in Southeastern Brazil, the “Projeto Boto-Cinza”
studies gave support for the presentation here made about aspects of biology, ecology, and conservation studies about this species.
2.2 Target Species
Sotalia guianensis (Fig. 2.1) is a Delphinidae with wide coastal distribution between
Honduras (Edwards and Schnell 2001) and Baía Norte, southern Brazil (SimõesLopes 1988). Since its description, this species received different denominations,
having been originally described as Delphinus guianensis van Bénéden, 1864
(Hershkovitz 1966). With a review by Gray in 1866, the species started to belong
to Sotalia, not Delphinus, remaining for about 100 years. By this time, the
Sotalia had three species: S. fluviatilis (Gervais and Deville 1853) in Amazon
E.L.A. Monteiro-Filho et al.