Dear MARMAMers, on behalf of all coauthors, I am very pleaseD to announce the
publication in Aquatic Mammals of our (Caribbean-Wide Orca Project, CWOP) new
review of the presence of orcas in the Caribbean Sea. The pdf is available upon
request ([email protected]). Abstract below.
Abstract: The killer whale (Orcinus orca) is a cosmopolitan cetacean
distributed worldwide. Extensive studies have described its ecology and
behavior across multiple polar and temperate regions. On the other hand, there
is limited information on the distribution, ecological roles, and abundance of
killer whales in tropical and subtropical regions. Herein, we build on previous
work to update information on the spatiotemporal distribution, exploitation,
and natural history of killer whales in the Caribbean Sea. We also document new
records on their interaction with other species and human activities. We
collated 385 records from the literature, online biodiversity information
systems, the Internet (social networks and video-hosting websites), and citizen
science-based initiatives. Records included sightings (87.3%), intentional
captures (10.6%), bycatch (0.3%), and strandings (1.8%). Data primarily
originated from research projects/activities (57%) and citizen science-based
initiatives (43%). Records were distributed in the eastern Caribbean (39.5%),
the southern Caribbean (19.7%), the Greater Antilles (19.2%), the Bahamian
Region (13.0%), Central America (6.8%), and eastern Florida (1.8%). Killer
whales were recorded year-round, but most data were reported between March and
August (59.6%). The scarcity of records in Central America could reflect true
lower densities in the region, lower observation effort, or a combination of
the two. Because of the paucity of data, this study supports the growing
importance of citizen-science initiatives to document the occurrence and
ecology of this species in the Caribbean. Our dataset also confirms the
occasional and widespread occurrence of killer whales throughout the Caribbean
Sea. Potential low densities and limited predictability of their occurrence
hinder dedicated research on this species.
Key Words: western tropical Atlantic, occurrence, feeding ecology,
exploitation, bycatch, killer whales, Orcinus orca
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.49.2.2023.184
Page Numbers: 184-194
Vol. 49, Iss. 2
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