Marine Mammal Ecotypes: Implications for Otter Conservation and Management

摘要

Six of the 13 species of extant otters are marine living in at least part of their range. Despite this fact, only two species of otter are considered to be marine species. We examine the basis on which different species of otters are defined as marine mammals. For this group, the term marine mammal may be applied inconsistently and, therefore, we consider how the concept of ecotype can be used to reclassify coastal otter populations as marine mammals. By broadening our definition of marine mammals, it will allow coastal otter populations to be more fully considered in marine planning and conservation.