The marine otter (Lontra felina) has a patchy distribution associated with rocky coastlines along the Pacific coast of South America. In Peru marine otters are found from La Libertad (8°04′S) to Tacna (18°09′S), however, few studies have assessed its population and conservation status. To assess marine otters' current distribution along the Peru coastline, we conducted visual surveys and collected environmental characteristics such as human presence and habitat type. We surveyed 20 locations from five regions where otter presence was based on signs of detection (spraints, food leftovers, tracks, or direct observations). In addition, data on human presence, habitat type, and geographic location were also collected. Across the 20 locations, 268 sections were scanned, and marine otters were detected in 90% (n = 18) of locations and in 19% (n = 52) of sections. Spraints were the most frequent sign detected while direct observations occurred only in seven locations. Our analysis indicates habitat features play an important role in marine otter presence, with habitats with large rocks providing preferred conditions. Our study provides information on marine otter distribution along the Peru coastline that can assist in the identification of locations for focused conservation initiatives and strategies, which should be coordinated among regions to strengthen their design and implementation.

中文翻译：

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深入了解秘鲁海岸线上的海獭（Lontra felina）分布

海洋水獭 ( Lontra felina ) 分布在南美洲太平洋沿岸的岩石海岸线上。在秘鲁，从 La Libertad (8°04'S) 到 Tacna (18°09'S) 发现了海獭，但是，很少有研究评估其种群和保护状况。为了评估海獭目前沿秘鲁海岸线的分布，我们进行了目视调查并收集了环境特征，例如人类的存在和栖息地类型。我们调查了来自五个地区的 20 个地点，其中水獭的存在是基于检测迹象（扭伤、食物残渣、足迹或直接观察）。此外，还收集了有关人类存在、栖息地类型和地理位置的数据。在 20 个地点，扫描了 268 个部分，90% 的海獭被检测到（n  = 18) 个位置和 19% ( n  = 52) 个部分。扭伤是最常见的迹象，而直接观察仅发生在七个地点。我们的分析表明栖息地特征在海洋水獭的存在中起着重要作用，具有大岩石的栖息地提供了首选条件。我们的研究提供了秘鲁海岸线海洋水獭分布的信息，可以帮助确定重点保护举措和战略的位置，应在区域之间进行协调，以加强其设计和实施。