Dear MARMAM subscribers,
I would like to inform that
the following paper has been published on the Journal of Cetacean
Research and Management.
Sekiguchi, K., Olavarria, C., Morse,
L., Olson, P., Ensor, P., Matsuoka, K., Pitman, R., Findlay, K.
and Gorter, U. 2006.
The spectacled porpoise (Phocoena dioptrica) in Antarctic waters.
J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 8(3):265-271.
Abstract
Most knowledge on the biology and ecology of the spectacled porpoise
(Phocoena dioptrica) has been obtained from stranded specimens,
with less than fifteen confirmed sightings in the sea. Published
photographs of live animals in their natural environment are also very
rare.
In this study, 28 live sightings are summarised, from Antarctic and sub
Antarctic waters (mainly from the 1978-2004 IWC-IDCR/SOWER
cruises). These sightings supported the suggested circumpolar and
offshore distribution of this species; however, this was extended
further
south than previously thought, into Antarctic waters. The sea surface
temperature recorded at the time of each sighting ranged from 0.9-
10.3°C, with most of the sightings (52.0%) in waters 4.9-6.2°C. Group
size was small, averaging 2.0 (SD=0.92) animals per group. A total
of six cow-calf pairs were observed and all such pairs were accompanied
by one or two additional adults, always including a mature male.
Based on observations at sea and new photographs of live animals, a pale
‘saddle’ around the dorsal fin was noticed and is described for
the first time. The porpoises generally showed fast swimming behaviour
when the vessel approached, resembling the swimming behaviour
of harbour porpoises.
A PDF file or an old fashioned hard copy reprint is available from the
first author in the address below.
Sincerely,
Keiko Sekiguchi, Ph.D.
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KEIKO SEKIGUCHI, Ph.D. (Cetacean Biology)
- Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center
- University of Hawaii at Hilo
- 200 W. Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720 USA
- Tel: +1-808-933-0706
- Fax: +1-808-933-0704
- E-mail: ksekiguc@hawaii.edu
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