title: Occurrence and use of an estuarine habitat by giant manta ray Manta birostris.
abstract: Based on the knowledge of local artisanal fishermen and on direct observations, this study presents evidence that the giant manta ray Manta birostris uses the Paranaguá estuarine complex in south Brazil, south-western Atlantic Ocean, in a predictable seasonal pattern. Behavioural observations suggest that the estuary can act as a nursery ground for M. birostris during the summer.
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program in Biological Oceanography, Laboratory of Ecology and Conservation of Marine Megafauna, Institute of Oceanography, Universidade Federal de Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.affiliation: Projeto Mantas do Brasil, Instituto Laje Viva, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Luiz
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Sea Turtles and Marine Mammals, Marine Studies Centre, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Domit
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D001938:Brazil; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D063366:Estuaries; D012621:Seasons; D012860:Skates, Fish
keywords: Brazil; aggregation; elasmobranchs; habitat use; nursery