Cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea: Encounter Rate, Dominant Species, and Diversity Hotspots

We investigated the presence and diversity of cetaceans in Mediterranean Sea, analysing data collected by 32 different research units, over a period 15 years (2004–2018), shared on common web-GIS platform named Intercet. used encounter rate, species prevalence, Shannon index as parameters for analysis. The results show that cetacean diversity, context basin, is generally quite low when compared with eastern Atlantic, few species, namely striped dolphin, bottlenose fin whale, sperm dominate all others. However, some areas, such Alboran Sea or north-western which includes Pelagos Sanctuary (the Specially Protected Area Interest located northern portion western basin), higher levels should be considered hotspots to preserved. Primary production seabed profile seem two main drivers influencing distribution cetaceans, highest observed areas characterized high primary bathymetric variability gradient. This collective work underlines importance sharing deepen our knowledge marine fauna at scale whole encourages greater efforts networking process, also accomplish requirements Marine Strategy Framework Directive, particular reference Descriptor 1: biological maintained.