Dear list members on the 3rd and 4th of July, 2007, a bottlenose dolphin was observed interacting with a dead newborn for several hours in the semi-closed waters of the Amvrakikos Gulf, Greece. The observations were documented by 532 digital photos taken on the first day, and 138 photos taken on the second day. A selection of 48 photos has been posted at http://www.tethys.org/projects/IDP/deadcalf2007/ and can be viewed by those who are interested in this kind of ‘mourning’ behaviours. We are considering writing a note to report this event, and we would be interested in receiving information and comments from those of you who have had similar experiences, either with bottlenose dolphins or other marine mammals. We are aware of the following scientific articles published on the subject (*), but we would be grateful if you could help us make this literature list as comprehensive as possible. Sincerely, Joan Gonzalvo Villegas and Giovanni Bearzi Tethys Research Institute http://www.tethys.org --- Please report any comment, observation or literature to Joan Gonzalvo Villegas <j.gonzalvo@ub.edu> --- (*)_Preliminary list of scientific articles on dolphin interactions with dead or injured conspecifics Cremer M.J., Hardt F.A.S., Tonello Jr. A.J. 2005. Evidence of epimeletic behavior involving a Pontoporia blainvillei calf (Cetacea, Pontoporiidae). Biotemas 19(2):83-86. Dudzinski K.M., Sakai M., Masaki K., Kogi K., Hishii T., Kurimoto M. 2003. Behavioural observations of bottlenose dolphins towards two dead conspecifics. Aquatic Mammals 29(1):108-116. Fertl D., Schiro A. 1994. Carrying of dead calves by free-ranging Texas bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Aquatic Mammals 20(1):53- 56. Lodi L. 1992. Epimeletic behavior of free-ranging rough-toothed dolphins, Steno bredanensis, from Brazil. Marine Mammal Science 8(3):284- 287. Mann J., Barnett H. 1999. Lethal tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvieri) attack on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops sp.) calf: defense and reactions by the mother. Marine Mammal Science 15(2):568-575. Palacios D.M., Day D. 1995. A Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) carrying a dead calf. Marine Mammal Science 11(4):593-594. Ritter F. 2007. Behavioural responses of rough-toothed dolphins to a dead newborn calf. Marine Mammal Science 23(2):429-433. Warren-Smith A.B., Dunn W.L. 2006. Epimeletic behaviour toward a seriously injured juvenile bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops sp.) in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia. Aquatic Mammals 32(3):357-362. ____________________________________________________________ ADSL 4 MB FLAT navighi GRATIS per tutto il 2007 Affrettati! l'offerta è valida sino al 23 agosto 2007 http://abbonati.tiscali.it/adsl/prodotti/tc/4flat/