Elsevier

Continental Shelf Research

Volume 7, Issue 2, February 1987, Pages 107-114
Continental Shelf Research

Cetacean biomass densities near submarine canyons compared to adjacent shelf/slope areas

https://doi.org/10.1016/0278-4343(87)90073-2Get rights and content

Abstract

Estimated cetacean biomass densities in areas of the northeastern U.S. continental shelf edge encompassing major submarine canyons were compared to those in neighboring shelf/slope areas. It was hypothesized that biomass-densities would prove to be higher in the canyon areas: however, the analysis demonstrated significantly lower total cetacean biomass in the canyon areas. When species were analyzed individually, only spotted dolphins (Stenella spp.) showed a significant difference, with higher densities near the canyons. The canyons are apparently not more important as a cetacean habitat than the shelf break region generally.

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