Data related to the presence of cetaceans and especially the bottlenose dolphin （Tursiops truncatus） in Lebanese marine waters （eastern Mediterranean） are almost non-existent. This article aims to delimit, for the...Data related to the presence of cetaceans and especially the bottlenose dolphin （Tursiops truncatus） in Lebanese marine waters （eastern Mediterranean） are almost non-existent. This article aims to delimit, for the first time, the areas of distribution and the relative abundance of T. truncatus along the Lebanese coasts in order to develop a strategy for the conservation of this species. Nine campaigns at sea, each lasting between 1 to 3 days, were conducted aboard the vessel ＂CANA＂ between September 2009 and August 2012 in Lebanese marine waters. A total of 1576 km in prospecting effort was covered along the Lebanese coast （220 km）. Dolphins were mainly sighted in the central region of Lebanon （120 km） and 32 sightings and 91 individuals were recorded. The size of the groups were ranged from a minimum of one individual and a maximum of 7 individuals. Relative abundance of T. truncatus for the whole studied region is 0.06 individuals＇km1 in prospecting effort while it is 0.11 individuals·km^-1 in Beirut area that offers habitats sought by this species. The bathymetric distribution of this species is spread over a wide range from a depth of 35 m to 1300 m. More than half of the individuals have been observed in areas where bathymetry ranges between 300 m and 600 m depths.展开更多
文摘Data related to the presence of cetaceans and especially the bottlenose dolphin （Tursiops truncatus） in Lebanese marine waters （eastern Mediterranean） are almost non-existent. This article aims to delimit, for the first time, the areas of distribution and the relative abundance of T. truncatus along the Lebanese coasts in order to develop a strategy for the conservation of this species. Nine campaigns at sea, each lasting between 1 to 3 days, were conducted aboard the vessel ＂CANA＂ between September 2009 and August 2012 in Lebanese marine waters. A total of 1576 km in prospecting effort was covered along the Lebanese coast （220 km）. Dolphins were mainly sighted in the central region of Lebanon （120 km） and 32 sightings and 91 individuals were recorded. The size of the groups were ranged from a minimum of one individual and a maximum of 7 individuals. Relative abundance of T. truncatus for the whole studied region is 0.06 individuals＇km1 in prospecting effort while it is 0.11 individuals·km^-1 in Beirut area that offers habitats sought by this species. The bathymetric distribution of this species is spread over a wide range from a depth of 35 m to 1300 m. More than half of the individuals have been observed in areas where bathymetry ranges between 300 m and 600 m depths.
