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Filling in the gaps: first record of Sousa teuszii in Benin (Gulf of Guinea: Africa)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 June 2014

Sander J. Zwart  and
Caroline R. Weir
Sander J. Zwart
Affiliation:
Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), Cotonou, Benin
Caroline R. Weir*
Affiliation:
Ketos Ecology, 4 Compton Road, Kingsbridge, TQ7 2BP, UK School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: C.R. Weir, Ketos Ecology, 4 Compton Road, West Charleton, Kingsbridge Devon, TQ7 2BP, UK email: [email protected] or [email protected]
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Abstract

A sighting of four Atlantic humpback dolphins (Sousa teuszii) was recorded and photographed close to the Benin coast on 3 November 2013. This is the first record of the species for Benin, and also represents the first verified record within a 3,065 km stretch of coast extending from Sierra Leone to Nigeria (encompassing the entire northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea). The sighting supports the possibility that some other potential range states may have remained unconfirmed to date due to a paucity of field research in suitable nearshore habitat rather than an absence of the species.

Keywords

Atlantic humpback dolphindistribution rangerange statesightingAtlantic Ocean
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 7 , 2014 , e59
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2014 

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