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ANSE Marine megafauna visual surveys in Southeastern Spanish Mediterranean 2005-2013

Citation

Murcia Abellán J L, Morata A (2026). ANSE Marine megafauna visual surveys in Southeastern Spanish Mediterranean 2005-2013. Version 1.2. ANSE. Sampling event dataset. https://ipt.vliz.be/eurobis/resource?r=anse_mmvs_2005-2013&v=1.2 https://doi.org/10.15468/7j6pce accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-06-04.

Description

Original provider and dataset credits: Asociación de Naturalistas del Sureste (ANSE).Abstract: Marine megafauna visual surveys from a dedicated research vessel in the southeastern Spanish Mediterranean coast (Western Mediterranean Sea) between 2005 and 2013. The dataset includes 14,577 occurrence records of seabirds, migrant birds, marine turtles, and epipelagic fish, providing broad-scale information of their distributions. The records were made using standardized strip-transect techniques (adapted from Tasker et al. 1984) following linear transects at 5-6 knots with two observers covering a 180° observation arc. Primary observation method was naked eye, supplemented with 8x40 binoculars for species identification. The sightings were recorded and aggregated into 10-minute bins. For each sighting, the following data were recorded: species, total number of individuals, age class (for birds: adult, immature, juvenile), behavior (feeding, traveling, resting, foraging, kleptoparasiting, kleptoparasited, scavenging), and flight direction (when applicable).

The dataset integrates multiple conservation and monitoring projects conducted by ANSE in the region, including "LIFE-Naturaleza Conservación de Larus audouinii en España. (Isla Grosa) Murcia (LIFE03 NAT/E/000061)" (2005-2007) and "Interacciones entre pesquerías y Delfín mular (Tursiops truncatus)" (2009-2011). This dataset contributes to the knowledge of marine megafauna distribution and behavior in the Western Mediterranean and supports marine conservation efforts in the region.

Purpose

To study the distribution of marine megafauna (seabirds, migrant birds, sea turtles, and pelagic fish) in the Western Mediterranean and southeastern spanish coast of multiple years. Linear transects surveys using standardized methods were conducted onboard ANSE's monitoring vessel (15-meter historic wooden sailing vessel), as part of several projects covering part of Alboran sea, gulf of Vera and Alicante's coast.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

Opportunistic data of seabirds, other migrant birds in the area, sea turtles, and pelagic fishes, collected using standardized methods during several years, from several projects aiming to study cetaceans populations in spanish Mediterranean coast.

Sampling

Line transect surveys using standardized strip-transect techniques (adapted from Tasker et al. 1984) at 5-6 knots with two observers covering a 180° observation arc. Primary observation method was naked eye, supplemented with 8x40 binoculars for species identification. The sightings were recorded and aggregated into 10-minute bins. For each sighting, the following data were recorded: species, total number of individuals, age class (for birds: adult, immature, juvenile), behavior (feeding, traveling, resting, foraging, kleptoparasiting, kleptoparasited, scavenging), and flight direction (when applicable).

Method steps

  1. Reference: Tasker, M.L., P.H. Jones, T. Dixon, and B.F. Blake. 1984. Counting seabirds at sea from ships: A review of methods employed and a suggestion for a standardized approach. Auk 101:567-577

Additional info

The original dataset also includes ancillary data on the survey effort (vessel speed and bearing, linear transect start and end points, distance of specimens (measured in strips) and environmental conditions during surveys (Beaufort sea state, wind speed and direction, cloud cover in the sky, and general visibility conditions).

Taxonomic Coverages

  1. Testudines
    rank: order
  2. Molidae
    rank: family
  3. Alcidae
    rank: family
  4. Suliformes
    rank: order
  5. Laridae
    rank: family
  6. Sylviidae
    rank: family
  7. Sternidae
    rank: family
  8. Upupidae
    rank: family
  9. Anseriformes
    rank: order
  10. Columbidae
    rank: family
  11. Procellariidae
    rank: family
  12. Motacillidae
    rank: family
  13. Animalia
    rank: kingdom
  14. Phalacrocoracidae
    rank: family
  15. Xiphiidae
    rank: family
  16. Podicipedidae
    rank: family
  17. Phoenicopteriformes
    rank: order
  18. Stercorariidae
    rank: family
  19. Passeriformes
    rank: order
  20. Pelecaniformes
    rank: order
  21. Ciconiiformes
    rank: order
  22. Falconiformes
    rank: order
  23. Hydrobatidae
    rank: family
  24. Tetraodontiformes
    rank: order
  25. Accipitriformes
    rank: order
  26. Suliforme
    rank: order
  27. Pandionidae
    rank: family
  28. Chordata
    rank: phylum
  29. Gruiformes
    rank: order
  30. Fringillidae
    rank: family
  31. Scolopacidae
    rank: family
  32. Columbiformes
    rank: order
  33. Aves
    rank: class
  34. Apodiformes
    rank: order
  35. Reptilia
    rank: class
  36. Charadriiformes
    rank: order
  37. Charadriidae
    rank: family
  38. Elasmobranchii
    rank: class
  39. Beleniformes
    rank: order
  40. Accipitridae
    rank: family
  41. Podicipediformes
    rank: order
  42. Hirundinidae
    rank: family
  43. Exocoetidae
    rank: family
  44. Phoenicopteridae
    rank: family
  45. Carangiformes
    rank: order
  46. Falconidae
    rank: family
  47. Apodidae
    rank: family
  48. Turdidae
    rank: family
  49. Procellariiformes
    rank: order
  50. Rallidae
    rank: family
  51. Sulidae
    rank: family
  52. Cheloniidae
    rank: family
  53. Coraciiformes
    rank: order
  54. Ardeidae
    rank: family
  55. Anatidae
    rank: family
  56. Teleostei
    rank: class

Geographic Coverages

Southeastern coast of Spain, in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Bibliographic Citations

  1. Tasker, M.L., P.H. Jones, T. Dixon, and B.F. Blake. 1984. Counting seabirds at sea from ships: A review of methods employed and a suggestion for a standardized approach. Auk 101:567-577 -

Contacts

José Luis Murcia Abellán
originator
position: Technician
ANSE
Plaza Pintor José María Párraga nº 11 bajo
Murcia
30002
Murcia
ES
Telephone: 0034655488015
email: jlmurcia@asociacionanse.org
homepage: http://www.asociacionanse.org
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9173-092X
Aixa Morata
originator
position: Technician
ANSE
Plaza Pintor José María Párraga nº 11 bajo
Murcia
30002
Murcia
ES
Telephone: 0034968966407
email: aixa@asociacionanse.org
homepage: http://www.asociacionanse.org
userId: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2693-1353
José Luis Murcia Abellán
metadata author
position: Technician
ANSE
Plaza Pintor José María Párraga nº 11 bajo
Murcia
30002
Murcia
ES
Telephone: 0034655488015
email: jlmurcia@asociacionanse.org
homepage: http://www.asociacionanse.org
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9173-092X
Aixa Morata
metadata author
position: Technician
ANSE
Plaza Pintor José María Párraga nº 11 bajo
Murcia
30002
Murcia
ES
Telephone: 0034968966407
email: aixa@asociacionanse.org
homepage: http://www.asociacionanse.org
userId: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2693-1353
José Luis Murcia Abellán
administrative point of contact
position: Technician
ANSE
Plaza Pintor José María Párraga nº 11 bajo
Murcia
30002
Murcia
ES
Telephone: 0034655488015
email: jlmurcia@asociacionanse.org
homepage: http://www.asociacionanse.org
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9173-092X
Aixa Morata
administrative point of contact
position: Technician
ANSE
Plaza Pintor José María Párraga nº 11 bajo
Murcia
30002
Murcia
ES
Telephone: 0034968966407
email: aixa@asociacionanse.org
homepage: http://www.asociacionanse.org
userId: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2693-1353
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