We are glad to announce the following publication on Brazilian Journal of Aquatic Science and Technology

SITE FIDELITY OF BRYDE’S WHALES (BALAENOPTERA EDENI) IN CABO FRIO REGION, SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL, THROUGH PHOTOIDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUE

Luciana D. Figueiredo, ; Rodrigo H. Tardin; Lilane Lodi; Israel S. Maciel; Maria Alice S. Alves & Sheila M. Simão

Abstract:

Photo-identification technique was applied to Bryde’s whales off the coast of Cabo Frio region, south-eastern Brazil between December 2010 and November 2012. Twenty-five individuals were sighted on nineteen different days and, of these total, nine were individually identified using natural marks on the dorsal fin. Of these, two individuals were seen in four different days, and one was seen in two occasions. The mean interval between re-sighting was 133 days (minimum: one day, maximum: 431 days). Two different adult individuals that were previously identified were seen again accompanied by calves and one of these was also seen next to the Rio de Janeiro city coast (126 km apart). Most of the observations consisted of lone individuals (58.8% of sightings). The data reported here indicate that the Cabo Frio coast may be important for the studied species in Brazilian waters and indicated the possible site fidelity of Bryde’s whales to this area.

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