Short Communications

First record of Mesoplodon densirostris (Blainville 1817) from continental East Africa

Published in: African Journal of Marine Science
Volume 34 , issue 3 , 2012 , pages: 453–454

DOI: 10.2989/1814232X.2012.725516

Author(s): S Valle Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Italy

Keywords: Blainville's beaked whale , western Indian Ocean , Ziphiidae

Abstract

Blainville's beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris is one of the most widely distributed members of the family Ziphiidae (the beaked whales). However, its exact distribution in many parts of the world remains unknown. On 24 November 2004, the partly skeletonised carcass of an adult male Blainville's beaked whale was found on a beach north of the Sabaki River in Kenya (03°09′ S, 40°08′ E). This is the first confirmed record for this species for continental East Africa, and contributes to our knowledge of the distribution of Blainville's beaked whale in the western Indian Ocean.

« Diversity of decapod crustaceans at the interface of unconsolidated seabed areas and rocky shores in tropical/subtropical Brazil

Validation of growth zone deposition rate in otoliths and scales of flathead mullet Mugil cephalus and freshwater mullet Myxus capensis from fish of known age »