Records of Phocidae obtained from beach surveys carried out by MUCIN/CECLIMAR/UFRGS, Citizen Science (FAUNA MARINHA RS project), and Mastozoology scientific collection (MUCIN/UFRGS), between 2015 – 2024, from Brazil.
Description
This dataset brings together 18 records of pinnniped of the family Phociade from beach surveys carried out by the MUCIN/CECLIMAR/UFRGS research team, between 2012 – 2023, citizen science records from FAUNA MARINHA RS project, and Mastozoology scientific collection (MUCIN/UFRGS), between 2015 - 2024, from Brazil.
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Between 2012 and 2023 we conducted weekly beach surveys to document occurrence patterns of stranded marine tetrapod carrion in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. In alternating weeks we covered two complementary areas: (1) 80 km from Itapeva in Torres (29º 21’ S; 49º 44’ W) to Imbé (29º 58.516’ S; 50º 7.125’ W), and (2) 50 km from Tramandaí (29º 58.773’ S; 50º 7.215’ W) to Dunas Altas in Palmares do Sul (30º 24’ S; 50º 17’ W). In total, we covered ~130 km of coastline every 15 days. The beach surveys were carried out using a four-wheel-drive pickup truck at a speed up to 40 km h-1, with 2-4 observers scanning the entire beach from the wash zone up to the base of the dunes. The data collection protocol for beached marine tetrapods was standardized including taxon (as specific as possible), date, geographical location, and decomposition state as follows: 1 = alive; 2 = freshly dead; 3 = moderate decomposition; 4 = advanced decomposition; 5 = mummified or skeletal remains. Each item of marine tetrapod carrion was collected and/or marked with spray paint to avoid multiple counting. We only collected selected specimens from rare or target species (for research projects). Vouchers were kept in the scientific collections of the Museu de Ciências Naturais (MUCIN) from the UFRGS. The FAUNA MARINHA RS project has received photos and videos of marine mammals through citizen science channels (email, telephone, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp) since 2010. The information received was saved in a digital repository of the project, after the project coordinator's taxonomic check of the records.