501
known to hunt near anchored ships at the harbor and in highly degraded areas near
cities. Despite evidence that Guiana dolphins are more robust under disturbance
scenarios, these populations (like other small cetaceans) are also susceptible to
anthropogenic threats such as noise pollution and environmental contamination.
Although we do not have specific information for Babitonga Bay, the literature indicates that franciscana and Guiana dolphins have different social organization systems. Guiana dolphins are thought to be promiscuous while franciscana dolphins
are likely monogamous. Coastal cetacean species are more vulnerable to humandriven impacts because coastal environments are intensively used by human populations, and dolphin populations with restricted geographic ranges and strong
dependence on specific environmental characteristics are more vulnerable to resulting habitat loss (Reeves et al. 2003). Population viability analysis conducted with
coastal dolphin species indicated that populations with less than 100 individuals are
at high risk of extinction, even if mortality rates are relatively low (Thompson et al.
2000; Slooten 2007).
The long-term presence of franciscana and Guiana dolphins in Babitonga Bay
highlight its importance for feeding and reproduction for both species. The high
degree of residency by both species increases exposure to local impacts, and urgent
measures are needed to control the impacts of anthropogenic activities in the region.
This may include restrictions in the use of gillnets and controlling habitat degradation
resulting from expansion of port areas, among other strategies. Long-term monitoring will be a powerful tool for continued detection of population trends and determination of conservation status, which is especially important for endangered species.
Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to the staff members at the Laboratório de
Nectologia for assistance with field studies. Financial support was provided by the Universidade
da Região de Joinville (UNIVILLE), the Fundação O Boticário de Proteção à Natureza, CNPq,
Capes, and FAPESC. Studies between 2010–2015 were supported by the Projeto Toninhas/
UNIVILLE, sponsored by Petrobras through the Programa Petrobras Ambiental.
References
Acevedo-Gutiérrez A, Parker N (2000) Surface behavior of bottlenose dolphins is related to spatial
arrangement of prey. Mar Mamm Sci 16:287–298
Aguilar N, Díaz F, Carrillo M, Brito A, Barquín J, Alayón P, Falcón J, González G (2000) Evidence
of disturbance of protected cetacean populations in the Canary Islands. Presented to the IWC
Scientific Committee, London (SC/53/WW1)
Alonso MB, Eljarrat E, Gorga M, Secchi ER, Massoi M, Barbosa L, Bertozzi CP, Marigo J, Cremer
MJ, Domit C, Azevedo AF, Dorneles PR, Torres JPM, Lailson-Brito J, Malm O, Barceló D
(2012) Natural and antropogenically produced brominated compounds in endemic dolphins
from Western South Atlantic: another risk to a vulnerable species. Environ Pollut 170:152–160
Alves AKM (2013) Variação morfológica e morfométrica dos crânios de Pontoporia blainvillei no
litoral norte de Santa Catarina. Dissertation, Universidade da Região de Joinville
Alves AKM, Souza EAL, Marigo J, Cremer MJ (2017) Intestinal helminths of Franciscana
(Pontoporia blainvillei) and Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) from the north coast of Santa
Catarina state, Brazil. Oecol Aust 21(01):83–87
17 Behavior and Ecology of Endangered Species Living Together: Long-Term…
known to hunt near anchored ships at the harbor and in highly degraded areas near
cities. Despite evidence that Guiana dolphins are more robust under disturbance
scenarios, these populations (like other small cetaceans) are also susceptible to
anthropogenic threats such as noise pollution and environmental contamination.
Although we do not have specific information for Babitonga Bay, the literature indicates that franciscana and Guiana dolphins have different social organization systems. Guiana dolphins are thought to be promiscuous while franciscana dolphins
are likely monogamous. Coastal cetacean species are more vulnerable to humandriven impacts because coastal environments are intensively used by human populations, and dolphin populations with restricted geographic ranges and strong
dependence on specific environmental characteristics are more vulnerable to resulting habitat loss (Reeves et al. 2003). Population viability analysis conducted with
coastal dolphin species indicated that populations with less than 100 individuals are
at high risk of extinction, even if mortality rates are relatively low (Thompson et al.
2000; Slooten 2007).
The long-term presence of franciscana and Guiana dolphins in Babitonga Bay
highlight its importance for feeding and reproduction for both species. The high
degree of residency by both species increases exposure to local impacts, and urgent
measures are needed to control the impacts of anthropogenic activities in the region.
This may include restrictions in the use of gillnets and controlling habitat degradation
resulting from expansion of port areas, among other strategies. Long-term monitoring will be a powerful tool for continued detection of population trends and determination of conservation status, which is especially important for endangered species.
Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to the staff members at the Laboratório de
Nectologia for assistance with field studies. Financial support was provided by the Universidade
da Região de Joinville (UNIVILLE), the Fundação O Boticário de Proteção à Natureza, CNPq,
Capes, and FAPESC. Studies between 2010–2015 were supported by the Projeto Toninhas/
UNIVILLE, sponsored by Petrobras through the Programa Petrobras Ambiental.
References
Acevedo-Gutiérrez A, Parker N (2000) Surface behavior of bottlenose dolphins is related to spatial
arrangement of prey. Mar Mamm Sci 16:287–298
Aguilar N, Díaz F, Carrillo M, Brito A, Barquín J, Alayón P, Falcón J, González G (2000) Evidence
of disturbance of protected cetacean populations in the Canary Islands. Presented to the IWC
Scientific Committee, London (SC/53/WW1)
Alonso MB, Eljarrat E, Gorga M, Secchi ER, Massoi M, Barbosa L, Bertozzi CP, Marigo J, Cremer
MJ, Domit C, Azevedo AF, Dorneles PR, Torres JPM, Lailson-Brito J, Malm O, Barceló D
(2012) Natural and antropogenically produced brominated compounds in endemic dolphins
from Western South Atlantic: another risk to a vulnerable species. Environ Pollut 170:152–160
Alves AKM (2013) Variação morfológica e morfométrica dos crânios de Pontoporia blainvillei no
litoral norte de Santa Catarina. Dissertation, Universidade da Região de Joinville
Alves AKM, Souza EAL, Marigo J, Cremer MJ (2017) Intestinal helminths of Franciscana
(Pontoporia blainvillei) and Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) from the north coast of Santa
Catarina state, Brazil. Oecol Aust 21(01):83–87
17 Behavior and Ecology of Endangered Species Living Together: Long-Term…