Répartition et déplacements des Dauphins de Commerson (<i>Cephalorhynchus commersonii</i> (Lacépède, 1804)) dans un golfe des îles Kerguelen; données du marquage individuel

Abstract

Sixteen Commerson's dolphins were tagged in the Gulf of Morbihan, southeast of the Kerguelen Islands, to specify how they use the available space and to determine the structure of their schools. The dolphins use only a small part (about 5%) of the whole area of the gulf, which is located along the northern coast. Their movements are restricted (less than 10 km in the average); they occur mainly along an east–west axis and, more rarely, along a north–south axis. The schools do not seem to have a definite structure. Seasonal migrations towards the gulf (summer) and out of the gulf (winter) are confirmed. Individuals may return to the gulf from one year to another.