Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in Scientific Reports: Irma Cascão, Marc O. Lammers, Rui Prieto, Ricardo S. Santos & Mónica A. Silva (2020) Temporal patterns in acoustic presence and foraging activity of oceanic dolphins at seamounts in the Azores. Scientific Reports. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-60441-4 Abstract Several seamounts have been identified as hotspots of marine life in the Azores, acting as feeding stations for top predators, including cetaceans. Passive acoustic monitoring is an efficient tool to study temporal variations in the occurrence and behaviour of vocalizing cetacean species. We deployed bottom-moored Ecological Acoustic Recorders (EARs) to investigate the temporal patterns in acoustic presence and foraging activity of oceanic dolphins at two seamounts (Condor and Gigante) in the Azores. Data were collected in March-May 2008 and April 2010-February 2011. Dolphins were present year round and nearly every day at both seamounts. Foraging signals (buzzes and bray calls) were recorded in >87% of the days dolphin were present. There was a strong diel pattern in dolphin acoustic occurrence and behaviour, with higher detections of foraging and echolocation vocalizations during the night and of social signals during daylight hours. Acoustic data demonstrate that small dolphins consistently use Condor and Gigante seamounts to forage at night. These results suggest that these seamounts likely are important feeding areas for dolphins. This study contributes to a better understanding of the feeding ecology of oceanic dolphins and provides new insights into the role of seamount habitats for top predators. The paper is available at: www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-60441-4. Or email me irma.cascao@gmail.com for a PDF. You can also download two companion papers of this publication, which describe the effect of seamounts on the distribution and dynamics of micronekton scattering layers: I. Cascão, R. Domokos, M.O. Lammers, V. Marques, R. Domínguez, R.S. Santos & M.A. Silva (2017) Persistent Enhancement of Micronekton Backscatter at the Summits of Seamounts in the Azores. Frontiers in Marine Science 4:25. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2017.00025 I. Cascão, R. Domokos, M.O. Lammers, R.S. Santos & M.A. Silva (2019) Seamount effects on the diel vertical migration and spatial structure of micronekton. Progress in Oceanography 175, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2019.03.008 Best regards, Irma Cascão ............................................................................................................................................................ Irma Cascão PhD MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre IMAR - Institute of Marine Research DOP - Department of Oceanography and Fisheries University of the Azores Rua Professor Dr. Frederico Machado 4 9901-862 Horta Portugal ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Irma_Cascao2 Azores Whale Lab: http://whales.scienceontheweb.net