| Summary: | Although some 35 species of cetaceans have been reported for chilean waters, the amount of published data remains very limited. Historical information on the cetofauna of northern Chile is next to inexistent. Presented here is a preliminary compilation of cetaceans recorded from sightings. strandings and by-catches, off the coast of the Second Region of Chile (210 27' S to 260 07' SI between 1980 and 1986. Evidence for the following species is available; Eubalaena australis, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, B, edeni and/or B. borealis. Phocoena spinipinnis, Delphinus delphis, Lagenorhynchus obscurus, Tursiops truncatus, Ussodelphis peronii, Globicephala melaena, G. macrorhynchus, Orcinus orca, Grampus griseus, Physeter macrocephalus. Twenty nine cetaceen specimens conserved at the Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanol6gicas (Universidad de Antofagasta) are listed. The urgent need for future systematical collection of specimens and sighting data in the study area is expressed.
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