A CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CETOLOGICAL FAUNA IN THE WATERS OF WESTERN SARDINIA

• Main Author: Alexandre Gannier
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fin whale; Sperm whale
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.494.2881; http://fauna.dipbsf.uninsubria.it/atit/PDF/Volume10(2)/10(2)_3.pdf

tional observation methods were used onboard a 12 meter motorsailer. A zig-zag sampling of 584 kilo-meters and 65 hours of observation were done, during which 21 groups of cetaceans were sighted. Five species were observed: the fin whale (3 sightings), the striped dolphin (10 sightings), the com-mon dolphin (6 sightings), the bottlenose dolphin and the sperm whale (1 sighting each). High sight-ing frequencies were obtained for the striped dolphin in the pelagic area and for the common dolphin in the slope area, suggesting that each species favours a distinct habitat. This study is in reasonable concordance with the few results already published on the subject. However more research must be done in this area. Key words: boat survey, cetaceans, sighting frequency, western Sardinia, common dolphins