Habitat use of the Pacific eagle ray Aetobatus laticeps (Myliobatiformes: Aetobatidae) in a marine protected area of touristic importance, Banderas Bay, Mexico

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Introduction: Aetobatids have low reproductive potential, with coastal and benthopelagic habits, which makes them vulnerable to anthropogenic activities. Despite this, the Pacific eagle ray Aetobatus laticeps is a poorly studied species, which makes it difficult to assess its populations to implement or improve conservation and management measures. Objective: To determine the habitat use of the Pacific eagle ray in Los Arcos (LA), Banderas Bay, Central Mexican Pacific, a protected natural area of tourist importance. Methods: From December 2015 to July 2017, 64 marine surveys were conducted to record the activity and size of eagle rays in three transects delimited by tourist use in LA. The variability in the seasonal presence of adults and juveniles, the trend in the space-time encounter rate, and its relationship with sea surface temperature (SST) were determined. Results: The encounter rate was higher in April and May (2016 and 2017), decreasing to zero during July, August, and September of 2016 (with the warmest SST) and February 2017 (with the coldest SST). Displacement activity predominated, followed by feeding activity. Recorded sizes ranged from 50-130 cm disc width (DW) (mean = 89 ± 17 cm). The site with the highest encounter rate coincides with the area of greatest tourist activity. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of the gregarious behaviour of juveniles and adults, their seasonal movements, and their relationship with SST at a limited spatial scale. Finally, it is essential to raise awareness among local communities in LA, as tourist activity may indirectly impact A. laticeps.

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