Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals (LAJAM)
Not a member yet
358 research outputs found
Sort by
The triumph of the commons: Working towards the conservation of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in the Cananéia estuary, Brazil
No full textRecords of Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis, in the State of Ceará, Northeastern Brazil
No full textThe Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis, is a small delphinid found in costal waters, estuaries and bays from Santa Catarina, Brazil, to Nicaragua. Strandings of Guiana dolphins were recorded systematically and opportunistically in the coast of Ceará (~02-04°S), northeastern Brazil, from 1992 to 2005. A total of 160 single events were documented. The number of records was higher in Fortaleza Metropolitan Region than in other three surveyed areas, probably due to a more intensive survey effort. More strandings were recorded during austral winter and spring. The majority of stranded animals were adults (48.8%). Calves were not commonly recovered and no seasonality in the strandings of calves was observed. Overall body length ranged from 95 to 208cm for females and from 85 to 210cm for males. A total of 49 animals (30.6%) showed evidence of fishery interactions such as net marks and cuts. Of these, we confirmed through fisherman information the incidental catch of 13 dolphins by driftnet (n = 8), surface gillnet (n = 3) and beach seine (n = 2). Twenty three percent of all stranded animals showed evidences of other human interactions, like meat or fins removed, eyes removed and rostrum extracted. According to the results, Guiana dolphin strandings occurred year-round in all zones along the coast of Ceará. The incidental bycatch in fishing nets may have a negative impact on the dolphin population. The study reveals that a long-term systematic monitoring of artisanal fishing communities is necessary to evaluate the extent of the impact on the species
Two records of male southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) on the Atlantic coast of Uruguay
No full textVideo-documentation of a killer whale (Orcinus orca) predatory attack on a giant manta (Manta birostris) in the Galápagos Islands
No full textOccurrence of Pulmonicola cochleotrema (syn. Cochleotrema cochleotrema) (Digenea: Opisthotrematidae) in Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Brazil
No full textThe present work reports the first record of the trematode parasite Pulmonicola cochleotrema in Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Brazil. Out of 15 necropsied manatees in the State of Ceará, the parasite was found in the nares, trachea and bronchi of four animals (two juvenile males, one juvenile female and one adult female), for a prevalence of 26.7%. The parasites were identified based on morphological features observed in the 38 collected specimens. No pathological manifestations were observed associated with the presence of the parasites in the present study. The prevalence observed in the State of Ceará and the lack of reports of this parasite species in other states of northeastern Brazil may suggest the existence of an isolated population, a higher occurrence of the intermediate host, or differences in the feeding habits of the manatees
Odontocete sightings collected during offshore cruises in the western and southwestern Caribbean Sea
No full text
First report on the long-term presence of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) off central Chile
No full textRecord of a neonate dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima (Owen, 1866) stranded on the coast of Bahia, northeastern Brazil
No full textWinter distribution and group composition of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) off northern Peru
No full textFrom late July to the end of September 2009, the temporal and spatial distribution and group composition of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were studied in order to provide new information about the species in northern Peru, the southern limit of the breeding area for the Southeast Pacific population. Daily surveys were made from a whale-watching boat from Los Organos (04°10'38.78"S, 81°8'04.40"W) and covering an area of approximately 74km2. Data about geographic position and group composition are presented. A total of 43 trips yielded a total of 124 sightings. Whales were observed throughout the study period with a peak in abundance in late August. Humpbacks were distributed mainly in shallow waters between 20 and 50m depth. Pairs and trios were the most common group type, whereas adults and mother/calf pairs were the principal sex/age classes. Our data confirms breeding and nursing activities in the southern limit of the wintering area for the Southeast Pacific stock. Frequent use of the shallow waters of the northern Peruvian coast by fishing operations may cause negative impacts on this sensitive phase in the humpback's life cycle. Thus, strengthening the current protection measures is encouraged