Paranaguá-Cananéia Estuarine Embayments Complexes IMMA
Size in Square Kilometres
533 km2
Qualifying Species and Criteria
Guiana dolphin – Sotalia guianensis
Criterion A; B (1,2) D (1)
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Summary
The Paranagua and Cananeia Estuarine Embayment Complex IMMA includes coastal bays with estuarine characteristics and rich ecosystem environments including sand beaches, rocky shores, mangroves, islands, and rivers. These areas share similar characteristics that are suitable for the residency and survival of the “Vulnerable” (Brazilian list of Endangered Species) and“Near Threatened” (globally) Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) (Secchi et al., 2018; MMA/ICMBio, 2022). This IMMA comprises four marine conservation units, one of which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its culture and biodiversity. Harbor activities, heavy boat traffic, chemical and noise pollution, overfishing, and bycatch are the main threats for marine mammals in this area.
Description of Qualifying Criteria
Criterion A – Species or Population Vulnerability
Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) is classified “near threatened” by IUCN (Secchi et al., 2018) and “vulnerable” on the Brazilian Endangered Species National List (MMA/ICMBio, 2022).
Criterion B: Distribution and Abundance
Sub-criterion B1: Small and Resident Populations
Cananéia Estuarine Complex (CEC) has been one of the most studied areas for Guiana dolphins along its distribution. Santos et al. (2001), after analyzing 4 years of data, found that the individuals of this population show high fidelity to the site, in what appears to be a closed or at least semi-closed population. This is a small resident population that was estimated by mark-recapture photo-identification at 414 (95% CI 392 – 438) individuals in the summer of 2016 (Mello et al., 2019). CEC area corresponds to a breeding area of Guiana dolphin where, in addition to observing calves, it was also possible to estimate the birth intervals for some females (Mello et al., 2019). In the CEC, several individuals of the local population of Guiana dolphin have been observed foraging and feeding (Santos, 2010; Tannure et al., 2020). The main prey items found in stomachs of stranded animals were the banded croaker (Paralonchurus brasiliensis) and the cephalopod (Doryteuthis plei). The prey most found in the stomach of individuals stranded or captured in the estuary was Stellifer rastrifer (Lopes et al., 2012).
Sub-criterion B2: Aggregations
In the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex (PEC), abundance of the Guiana dolphin was studied between 2012 and 2013. Boat line transects and distance sampling methods were used by Miranda (2017), resulting in an estimated population of 1,811 individuals (95% CI = 1,371-2,393) and density estimates by sector ranged from 2.42 to 9.33 individuals/km2. On the coast of Paraná, the bays of the Estuarine PEC gather throughout the year groups of Guiana dolphins composed of adults and calves (Filla & Monteiro-Filho 2009, Moura et al., 2021). Feeding behaviors have been reported for the PEC area, where the main prey of the Guiana dolphin corresponds to Chloroscombrus chrysurus, Pellona harroweri, Sardinella brasiliensis and Cetengraulis edentulus (Barros et al., 1997; Zanellatto, 2001; Domit 2010; Daura-Jorge et al., 2011; Araújo, 2012; Moura et al. 2021).
Criterion D: Special Attributes
Sub-criterion D1: Distinctiveness
In CEC Guiana dolphins display a different hunting strategy in comparison to other Guiana dolphin populations, the ‘beach hunting’. This strategy is based on the use of the sloping beach for feeding purposes, showing at least two different strategies to catch their prey (Santos, 2010). Consequently, it is likely that these unique foraging behaviors displayed by Guiana dolphins represent further proof of cultural transmission in cetacean societies.
Supporting Information
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