Mendez-Fernandez P. auteur aut IRD Taniguchi S. auteur aut IRD Santos M. C. O. auteur aut IRD Cascao I. auteur aut IRD Quérouil Sophie auteur aut IRD Martin V. auteur aut IRD Tejedor M. auteur aut IRD Carrillo M. auteur aut IRD Rinaldi C. auteur aut IRD Rinaldi R. auteur aut IRD Barragan-Barrera D. C. auteur aut IRD Farias-Curtidor N. auteur aut IRD Caballero S. auteur aut IRD Montone R. C. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Population structure studies play an increasingly integral role in conservation and management of marine mammal species. Genetic markers are commonly used; however, ecological markers (i.e. chemical compounds) are a fairly recent and useful tool to investigate ecological management units. The objective of this study is to investigate the population structure of the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) within its distribution in the Atlantic Ocean using data from stable isotopes of delta C-13 and delta N-15 and persistent organic pollutants as ecological markers. Based on previous studies that addressed distribution, morphometric analyses and molecular and ecological markers, we hypothesize that there are several ecological management units within the Atlantic Ocean. Our results confirmed population differentiation previously detected using genetic markers. Additionally, dolphins from the south-eastern coast of Brazil do not show complete ecological segregation from the Caribbean ones, while molecular analyses suggested genetic differentiation between the two regions. In the light of these results, we propose that at least two ecological management units should be considered, east and west of the Atlantic Ocean; however, the presence of one or two management units along the Atlantic coast of Central and South America needs further investigation. specialized Ecological management units Stable isotopes Persistent organic pollutants Stenella frontalis Atlantic Ocean ATLANTIQUE BRESIL ESPAGNE GUADELOUPE SAO PAULO CANARIES ILES CARAIBE MER 034 038 54 1 21-34 2020 1386-2588 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010077943 10.1007/s10452-019-09722-3 1386-2588 [F B010077943] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010077943 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2020/03/010077943.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2020-05-18 2020-05-18 fdi:010077943 fre