Biological obeservations on a dwarf minke whale, balaenoptera acutorostrata, caught in southern brazilian waters, with a new record of pray for the species

• Main Authors: Secchi, Eduardo Resende, Barcellos, Lauro, Zerbini, Alexandre Novaes, Rosa, Luciano Dalla
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2003
• Subjects: Dwarf minke whales; Western South Atlantic; Bycatch; Euphausiids; Parasites; Colour pattern; Austral; Balaenoptera acutorostrata; minke whale
• Online Access: http://repositorio.furg.br/handle/1/2254

Durante a primavera austral, um macho imaturo de baleia-minke-anã, Balaenoptera accutorostrata, medindo 3,43m, foi capturado acidentalmente em uma rede de emalhe armada em águas de 143m de profundidade, nas proximidades do talude continental sul do Brasil. Se descreve, brevemente, aspectos biológicos do exemplar, incluindo medidas externas, padrões de coloração,estágio reprodutivo e medidas cranianas. O estômago estava repleto de eufausiáceos, Euphausia similis, e infestado por parasitas nematóides. Este é o primeiro registro de Euphausia similis como presa de baleia-minke-anã. In the late austral spring, a 3.43m long immature male dwarf minke whale(Balaenoptera accutorostrata) was accidentally caught in a gillnet set in waters 143m deep, close to the continental slope off southern Brazil. A brief description of the specimen, including external measurements, colour patterns, reproductive status and skull measurements, is presented. The stomach was full of the euphausiid, Euphausia similis, and was heavily infested by anisakid nematode parasites. Euphausia similis is reported for the first time as a prey species for dwarf minke whales.