Dear Colleagues If you are interested in the South West Atlantic Ocean region, particularly the Falkland Islands, I now have two papers that describe cetacean records. One focuses on beaked whales and the second is a discussion of the cetacean community. Helen Otley, John Smith and Merel L. Dalebout (2012). Beaked whale strandings on the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, South Atlantic Ocean, between 1866 and 2008. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 92 1851 1864. doi:10.1017/S0025315411000749 Records of beaked whales stranded in the Falkland Islands and at South Georgia were collated for the period 1866 to 2008. Thirty-eight records, involving at least seven species in four genera, were documented. Strap-toothed whales (Mesoplodon layardii Gray, 1865) were the most common species with 11 records, including two neonates. Andrews beaked whales (M. bowdoini Andrews, 1908), Arnouxs beaked whales (Berardius arnuxii Duvernoy, 1851), Cuviers beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris Gray, 1823), Grays beaked whale (M. grayi van Haast, 1876), Hectors beaked whales (M. hectori Gray, 1871) and southern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon planifrons Flower, 1882) were recorded on three to five occasions. In several cases, records suggested potential temporal changes in range. For example, Arnouxs beaked whale has not been recorded in the Falkland Islands since 1965, whilst Grays beaked whale was not recorded prior to 1981, and Andrews beaked whale was not recorded before 1987. Although the number of records for each species is low, this could reflect changes in water temperatures and/or prey availability. Overall, this study confirms that the Falkland Islands - Tierra del Fuego region is one of the worlds key areas for beaked whales. Helen Otley (2012). The composition of the cetacean community in the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands, southwest South Atlantic Ocean. Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía 47: 537 551. An evaluation of the stranding record for the period 1866 to September 2012 confirms that the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands cetacean community is composed of 7 species of baleen whale, 7 beaked whale species, sperm whale, 8 species of dolphin and 1 of porpoise. The stranding record supports the species composition based on at-sea surveys, but also confirms the presence of some rare, vessel-shy and/or offshore and deepwater species. Five species - long-finned pilot whale, Peales dolphin, Commersons dolphin, hourglass dolphin and sperm whale - are considered to have a regular presence in the Islands. Six species are considered infrequent, 11 are considered rare and 2 species had a historic presence but have not been recorded in recent years. The stranding record suggests potential temporal changes for some of these species, reflecting perhaps a recovery of their population from over-exploitation and/or changes in oceanographic conditions and/or prey availability. Please email me if you want a copy. Cheers Helen Otley heleno@southcom.com.au