Dear Marmamers: The following manuscript on the discovery of a new population of La Plata dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) in inner estuarine waters of Brazil was recently published. Pdf file available: requests to sotalia@gmail.com. Santos, M.C. de O.; Oshima, J.E.F. & da Silva, E. 2009. Sightings of franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei): the discovery of a polulation in the Paranagua Estuarine Complex, southern Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 57(1): 57-63. ABSTRACT: Franciscana dolphins (*Pontoporia blainvillei*)* *are small cetaceans distributed along coastal Atlantic waters of South America from Itaúnas (18º25’S), Brazil, to Golfo Nuevo, Argentina; usually found in shallow, turbid waters, out to the 30 m isobath on the continental shelf, generally associated with estuarine and riverine discharges. The species is considered as a particular conservation concern because of its restricted distribution and vulnerability to incidental captures in fishing gear. Most of the information gathered on the species biology came from studies of dead individuals found stranded or incidentally captured in fishing operations, as *P. blainvillei *is difficult to be sighted in its habitat. However, several sightings made within the area of the species´ distribution have been described. Franciscana dolphins were sighted during boat surveys undertaken to evaluate ecological aspects of Guiana dolphins (*Sotalia guianensis*) in inner estuarine waters of southern and Brazil (~25o30’S) in 2007-2008. Ten franciscana sightings are reported in the Paranagua Estuarine Complex (PEC). Group sizes varied from 2 to 12 individuals. Water depth where sightings occurred varied from 3.8 to 13.4 m and water transparency from 1.3 to 2.5 m. In winter, water salinity ranged between 30 to 31 ppm and its superficial temperature ranged from 16oC to 20oC. In summer, these values were 10 ppm and 27oC, respectively. Adult individuals presented films of algae attached to their bodies. Five individuals presented distinguishable marks on the top or on the posterior border of the dorsal fin, including one female observed in two distinct seasons. Franciscana groups were observed in close proximity to Guiana dolphins (*ca.* 20 m) on several occasions, but no interactions between them were seen. The presence of franciscana dolphins in the PEC reinforces the importance of the Lagamar estuary for biodiversity conservation. Efforts should be directed towards a detailed investigation into population parameters, giving emphasis to abundance, use of area, and the evaluation of whether calves are present all year round, which could constitute important evidence as to the use of the area as a breeding site. Cheers, Marcos C. -- Dr Marcos César de Oliveira Santos Laboratório de Ecologia de Mamíferos Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia: Diversidade e Manejo de Vida Silvestre Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Avenida Unisinos, 950, São Leopoldo, RS, Brasil, 93022-000 E-mail: mcos@unisinos.br Telefone/Phone: 51-3590-1229 & Projeto Atlantis, Laboratório de Biologia da Conservação de Cetáceos PROGRAMA JOVEM PESQUISADOR - FAPESP Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Campus Rio Claro Av 24-A, 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, Brasil, 13506-900. E-mail: sotalia@rc.unesp.br Endereço Residencial/Home Address: Rua João Alfredo Panitz, 204, apto 602, Centro, São Leopoldo, RS 93010-150 E-mail: sotalia@gmail.com Telefone/Phone: 3037-2128