First records of dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) from the Union of the Comoros

The world distribution of dwarf and pygmy sperm whales (Cetacea: Kogiidae) [Kogia spp.] is poorly known, and derived mostly from records of stranded animals. At sea, both species are elusive and difficult to identify. We photo-documented the presence of dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) in the waters o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine Biodiversity Records
Main Authors: Bonato, Marco, Webber, Marc A., Attoumane, Artadji, Giacoma, Cristina
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2016
Subjects:
Ecology
Aquatic Science
Evolution
Behavior and Systematics
Oceanography
Indian
Sperm whale
Online Access:https://www.openaccessrepository.it/record/50848
https://doi.org/10.1186/s41200-016-0064-z
Description
Summary:The world distribution of dwarf and pygmy sperm whales (Cetacea: Kogiidae) [Kogia spp.] is poorly known, and derived mostly from records of stranded animals. At sea, both species are elusive and difficult to identify. We photo-documented the presence of dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) in the waters of the Union of the Comoros. All three occurrences were sightings of apparently healthy animals from 2011 to 2013 in and near Itsandra Bay, off the island of Grande Comore. We discuss the importance of the Mozambique Channel and the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystem for the species in the Western Indian Ocean.

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