1. Geospatial models are used to predict the distribution of terrestrial and marine species, according to their ecological and ethological habits. The bottlenose dolphin is a cosmopolitan marine top predator, inhabiting most of the ocean, with the exception of polar and subpolar waters. This wide distribution is associated with a remarkable plasticity in ecological and behavioural habits, which makes it difficult to model and predict its distribution.
2. This study proposes a ‘multi‐type approach’ to predict the presence and distribution of the bottlenose dolphin in the Pelagos Sanctuary, a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance located in the north‐west Mediterranean Sea. A multi‐type model based on random forest regression was developed, analysing the distribution habits of two geographical units living in the Pelagos area.
3. When compared with a classical single‐type model, the multi‐type model performed much better in a prediction test (true skill statistics, TSS = 85% vs. 52%), confirming the value of this experimental approach. This work suggests that wild species should not be considered as one single‐type entity, as local specialization may change and shape their distribution habits.

中文翻译：

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特定物种的分布模型可能还不够：以Pelagos保护区的宽吻海豚（Tursiops truncatus）生境分布为例

1. 根据地理空间模型的生态学和生态学习惯，它们可用于预测陆生和海洋物种的分布。宽吻海豚是世界性的海洋顶级捕食者，除了极地和亚极水域外，它们都栖息在大部分海洋中。这种广泛的分布与生态和行为习惯的显着可塑性相关，这使得很难对它的分布进行建模和预测。
2. 这项研究提出了一种“多类型方法”来预测Pelagos保护区中的宽吻海豚的存在和分布，该保护区是位于西北地中海的地中海重要特别保护区。建立了基于随机森林回归的多类型模型，分析了居住在Pelagos地区的两个地理单位的分布习惯。
3. 与经典的单类型模型相比，多类型模型在预测测试中的表现要好得多（真实技能统计，TSS = 85％vs. 52％），证实了这种实验方法的价值。这项工作表明，不应将野生物种视为一个单一类型的实体，因为当地的专业化可能会改变并改变其分布习惯。