Sorry for cross-posting!
We observed an atypical
inter-specific association in the Comoros archipelago, in the Mozambique
Channel (south-west Indian Ocean), of an adult female Indo-Pacific humpback
dolphin (coastal species) and a spinner dolphin calf (mostly oceanic in
this area). Both individuals are generally associated with other humpack
dolphins. According to local dolphin watching operators, this association is
observed for at least six months (the animal was newborn). First observations
reported a probable hybrid (with a Tursiops, already observed in this area), but
there are evidences that the calf is definitely a spinner.
I would ask if similar cases have been observed in
cetaceans and even in other mammals such as primates.
Many thanks,
Jeremy
_________________________________________
Jeremy
KISZKA (MSc, PhD cand.)
CRELA (Centre de Recherche sur les Ecosystèmes
Littoraux Anthropisés).
UMR 6217 CNRS-IFREMER-Université de la
Rochelle
Avenue Michel Crépeau, 17071, La Rochelle,
France.
&
Direction de l'Environnement et Développement
Durable,
Collectivité Départementale de Mayotte,
BP 101, 97600 Mamoudzou,
Mayotte.
Tel. (bureau): (+261)02.69.64.99.17
GSM:
06.39.69.53.53