Abstract
Twenty-two sightings of dwarf minke whales were made during shore-based surveys for cetaceans conducted from the Pontal do Atalaia headland, Arraial do Cabo, southeastern Brazil, in january 2001. Whales were observed associated with brown boobies, kelp gulls and terns, in apparent feeding behaviour. The white patch on the flippers and shoulder was clearly visible on most whales as the majority of the sightings were made in close proximity to land. The nutrient rich waters of the Cabo Frio upwelling ecosystem seem to provide a constant food supply for whales and dolphins.
Highlights
The distribution of the dwarf minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in low latitudes extends as far north as 11°S in the Pacific Ocean (Arnold et al, 1987)
Previous records of dwarf minke whales along the Brazilian coast were based on strandings, incidental, and direct catches, with only a few reliable sightings being available to date
A long term monitoring program of the migration of humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) was initiated in August 1998 using boat and, subsequently, shore-based surveys. The latter were made from the top of the 74m high Pontal do Twenty-two sightings of dwarf minke whales were made from the headland of Pontal do Atalaia from 8-17 January 2001 (Table 1)
Summary
The distribution of the dwarf minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in low latitudes extends as far north as 11°S in the Pacific Ocean (Arnold et al, 1987). In the Indian Ocean, dwarf minke whales have been reported along the coast of South Africa from April to August, but 92% of the captures took place in the first half of the whaling season (April to June) (Best, 1985). They are found up to 7°S along the eastern coast of South America (da Rocha and Braga, 1982), and are relatively common in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina (Baldas and Castello, 1986; Zerbini et al, 1996; 1997). Movements, possible feeding events and associations with seabirds in relation to the presence of dwarf minke whales
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