Cetaceans are top predators who play critical ecological roles, but their distribution patterns remain poorly known, especially in under-studied regions. Cabo Verde is a biodiversity hotspot with 24 documented cetacean species, but data on cetacean ecology remains scarce in here, hindering conservation efforts. This study presents the first attempt to model cetacean distribution across Cabo Verde’s jurisdictional waters using species distribution models (SDMs). The five most reported species - humpback whale, rough-toothed dolphin, short-finned pilot whale, pantropical spotted dolphin, and common bottlenose dolphin - were selected to develop presence-only and presence-absence ensemble SDMs, predicting the potential and current distribution of each species. Coastal waters, particularly near the eastern islands, were identified as critical habitats for humpback whales and rough-toothed dolphins, while pilot whales preferred shelf edges and seamounts. Spotted and bottlenose dolphins showed strong affinities for coastal waters throughout the archipelago. The SDM predictions highlighted new areas of interest (e.g., João Valente Bank). Despite some data limitations, the models offer novel, scientifically grounded insights into cetacean ecology in Cabo Verde. These results can inform marine spatial planning and guide future ecological research to improve cetacean conservation in Cabo Verde.
Keywords: Cetaceans; species distribution models; ensemble modelling; Cabo Verde.
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