https://doi.org/10.82144/cce32274 https://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/807 https://www.gbif.org/dataset/fb390f93-aacc-48be-b2fc-8f2b1d9c72b9 https://obis.org/dataset/8d8b347d-4b04-41ea-a122-048fbecab4d7 Enrico Pirotta Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews Primary contact pirotta.enrico@gmail.com Luke Rendell Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews Primary contact ler4@st-andrews.ac.uk http://bio.st-andrews.ac.uk/staffProfile.aspx?sunID=ler4 OBIS-SEAMAP Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University

A328 LSRC building Durham NC 27708 US

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seamap-contact@duke.edu https://seamap.env.duke.edu distributor Enrico Pirotta Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews Primary contact pirotta.enrico@gmail.com owner Luke Rendell Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews Primary contact ler4@st-andrews.ac.uk http://bio.st-andrews.ac.uk/staffProfile.aspx?sunID=ler4 owner ACCOBAMS and WDCS The Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS) and Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) http://www.accobams.org/ originator 2025-07-31 eng Original provider: Enrico Pirotta, Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) Dataset credits: Luke Rendell and Enrico Pirotta, Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) Abstract: Sperm whale <i>Physeter macrocephalus</i> habitat preferences are still poorly understood in the Mediterranean, despite the population being classified as ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN. Techniques to make the best use of multiple data sources are important in improving this situation. This work provides a detailed evaluation of sperm whale distribution and habitat use around the Balearic Islands using a novel analytical framework that combines transect and follow data while accounting for any autocorrelation present. During dedicated research cruises (2003 to 2008), sperm whales were located by listening at regular intervals along a search track and subsequently followed acoustically. Sperm whales were encountered 56 times and followed for periods ranging from a few hours to 3 d. Logistic Generalized Additive Models were used to model the probability of whale presence across the study area as a function of environmental variables, and Generalized Estimating Equations were used to account for autocorrelation. The results suggest that sperm whales do not use the region uniformly and that topography plays a key role in shaping their distribution. Moreover, solitary individuals were found to use the habitat differently from groups. This segregation appeared to be driven by water temperature and might reflect different needs or intraspecific competition. By shedding light on sperm whale habitat preference in such a critical area, this study represents an important step towards the implementation of conservation measures for this population. Occurrence GBIF Dataset Type Vocabulary: http://rs.gbif.org/vocabulary/gbif/dataset_type.xml Observation GBIF Dataset Subtype Vocabulary: http://rs.gbif.org/vocabulary/gbif/dataset_subtype.xml Marine Biology Visual sighting Vessels Sightings N/A Exact numbers for the presence of groups were not available, so an abundance of "2" was used as a conservative estimate. The sequences of consecutive presence points do not represent new animals being encountered, but follows of the same animals. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC) 4.0 License. https://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/807 Oceans 0.6270951 4.784755 40.865208 38.1609732 2003-08-04 2008-07-26 Scientific names are based on the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). species Physeter macrocephalus Sperm whale In this study we develop a novel analytical framework that can make use of combined acoustic and tracking data and account for autocorrelation in such data. We use a multi-scale approach to investigate the pattern of sperm whale distribution around the Balearic archipelago, and the potential differences in habitat selection by single individuals versus groups. notPlanned Enrico Pirotta Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews Primary contact pirotta.enrico@gmail.com Luke Rendell Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews Primary contact ler4@st-andrews.ac.uk http://bio.st-andrews.ac.uk/staffProfile.aspx?sunID=ler4 NA NA NA Enrico Pirotta owner Luke Rendell owner NA zd_807 2025-07-31T15:49:34-04:00 dataset Pirotta, E. and L. Rendell. 2011. SMRU sperm whale distribution around the Balearic Islands 2003-2008. Version 1.0.0. Dataset published in OBIS-SEAMAP. https://doi.org/10.82144/cce32274. OBIS-SEAMAP Dataset Page UTF-8 Interactive map https://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/807 FGDC Metadata UTF-8 XML https://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/807/fgdc EML Metadata UTF-8 XML https://seamap.env.duke.edu/dataset/807/eml OBIS-SEAMAP zd_807 zd_807 Pirotta, E., J. Matthiopoulos, M. Mackenzie, L. Scott-Hayward and L. Rendell. 2011. Modelling sperm whale habitat preference: a novel approach combining transect and follow data. Marine Ecology Progress Series: 436: 257–272.