Abstract
The world distribution of dwarf and pygmy sperm whales (Cetacea: Kogiidae) [Kogia spp.] is poorly known, and derived mostly from records of stranded animals. At sea, both species are elusive and difficult to identify. We photo-documented the presence of dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) in the waters of the Union of the Comoros. All three occurrences were sightings of apparently healthy animals from 2011 to 2013 in and near Itsandra Bay, off the island of Grande Comore. We discuss the importance of the Mozambique Channel and the Agulhas Current Large Marine Ecosystem for the species in the Western Indian Ocean.
Highlights
Dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima) inhabit the warm temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans (Rice 1998), primarily from 24°N to 40°S (Wade & Gerrodette 1993), some records are from beyond these limits and as far north as the Faroe Islands (Bloch & Mikkelsen 2009) and along the west coast of Canada (Nagorsen & Stewart 1983)
The sightings represent the first occurrences of dwarf sperm whales from the Union of the Comoros and establish new records for this area
Two of the three sightings came from Itsandra Bay and occurred in unusually shallow waters for this species, very close to shore and near a busy harbour entrance
Summary
Dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima) inhabit the warm temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans (Rice 1998), primarily from 24°N to 40°S (Wade & Gerrodette 1993), some records are from beyond these limits and as far north as the Faroe Islands (Bloch & Mikkelsen 2009) and along the west coast of Canada (Nagorsen & Stewart 1983). Within their range, they occur seaward from the continental slope to deep open ocean waters (Willis & Baird 1998; Baird 2005).
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