First records of Fraser's dolphin Lagenodelphis hosei for the Cape Verde Islands

Abstract

On 31 August 2003, at 11:40 local time, c. 5 nm southwest of São Nicolau 16.33.1N, 024.27.7W), Cape Verde Islands, GT and PLS observed c.20 Fraser's Dolphins Lagenodelphis hosei Fraser, 1956 (Fig.1). The sighting was made under excellent weather conditions (sea state Beaufort 2 with sun) from the 39.6 m diesel engine powered oceanographic research vessel Taliarte during a two week cetacean survey conducted as part of the Hydrocarpo project. The animals were c. 2.5 m in length, with a short beak, robust ody, small dorsal and pectoral fins and showed the characteristic longitudinal striping (cf. efferson et al.1993, Carwardine 1995). The dolphins were travelling eastwards, but when the vessel changed direction in order to get closer to the animals, they changed course as well and accompanied the ship while bow-riding. During the c. 15 minutes of their presence, several juveniles were observed. Water depth in the area of the sighting was 500 m according to the 1: 500,000 Spanish Navigation Chart No. 366. Within one mile of the Fraser’s Dolphins, a pod of c. 15 Short-finned Pilot Whales Globicephala macrorhynchus Gray, 1846 was observed resting and socializing.