Anthropogenic impact on a pregnant Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) stranded in Brazil

Guilherme A. Bortolotto, Igor Oliveira Braga Morais, Paulo Roberto Bahiano Ferreira, Maria do Socorro Santos dos Reis, Luciano Raimundo Alardo Souto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background: Because of their usually cryptic behaviour, most knowledge on the biology of beaked whales are from records of stranded animals. Although the Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) is the best known species of the ziphiidae family, little information on its reproduction is available.
Results: Here we report on the stranding of a dead pregnant female with clear signs of anthropogenic impact, including the presence of a fishing artefact in the stomach.
Conclusions: The region of the stranding (north-eastern coast of Brazil) is an area of increasing interest for oil and gas exploitation. Conservation concerns may arise from findings such as the one presented and discussed here.
Original languageEnglish
Article number30
Pages (from-to)1-5
Number of pages5
JournalMarine Biodiversity Records
Volume9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Jun 2016

Keywords

  • Ziphiidae
  • Cetacean
  • Reproduction
  • Marine debris
  • Brazil
  • Toothed whale

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