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Strandings and feeding records of Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni) in south-eastern Brazil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 August 2004

Salvatore Siciliano
Affiliation:
Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Marinhos da Região dos Lagos—GEMM-Lagos, Laboratório de Ecologia, Departamento de Endemias, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública/FIOCRUZ, Rua Leopoldo Bulhões 1480-térreo—Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21041-210 Brazil
Marcos César de Oliveira Santos
Affiliation:
LabMar, Departamento de Ecologia Geral, Instituto de Biociências, USP & Projeto Atlantis, Rua do Matão, 321, São Paulo, SP 05508-900 Brazil
André F.C. Vicente
Affiliation:
CEEMAM, Centro de Estudos sobre Encalhes de Mamíferos Marinhos, Avenida Pinheiro Machado, 1033/113, Santos, SP, 11075-003 Brazil
Fernando S. Alvarenga
Affiliation:
CEEMAM, Centro de Estudos sobre Encalhes de Mamíferos Marinhos, Avenida Pinheiro Machado, 1033/113, Santos, SP, 11075-003 Brazil
Émerson Zampirolli
Affiliation:
CEEMAM, Centro de Estudos sobre Encalhes de Mamíferos Marinhos, Avenida Pinheiro Machado, 1033/113, Santos, SP, 11075-003 Brazil
José Laílson Brito
Affiliation:
Projeto MAQUA, Departamento de Oceanografia, UERJ, R. São Francisco Xavier, 524 s. 4018E, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20550-013 Brazil
Alexandre F. Azevedo
Affiliation:
Projeto MAQUA, Departamento de Oceanografia, UERJ, R. São Francisco Xavier, 524 s. 4018E, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20550-013 Brazil
José Luis A. Pizzorno
Affiliation:
Avenida Maracanã, 772/307, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20551-000 Brazil

Abstract

Information on Balaenoptera edeni strandings along the Brazilian south-east coast and feeding associations with other marine vertebrates are reported. A total of 19 strandings were observed from 1972 to 2003 along ≈1200 km of coast. Strandings were evenly distributed among seasons with no distinguishable peaks. Besides the stranding data, opportunistic observations on Bryde's whales engaged in feeding activities were reported from nine cruises along São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro State coasts (22–24°S). Bryde's whales were observed preying on Brazilian sardines (Sardinella brasiliensis) in at least three events, and possibly two others. Associations with other marine vertebrates were observed, and included dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus), little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), unidentified sharks, terns (Sterna hirundinacea, Sterna spp.), brown boobies (Sula leucogaster), frigate birds (Fregata magnificens), parasitic jaeger (Stercorarius cf. parasiticus), albatrosses (Thalassarche spp.), and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Stranding data and on-board observations support the hypothesis that Bryde's whales are common in coastal waters of south-eastern Brazil.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2004 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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