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The occurrence of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the biological reserve of Atol das Rocas in north-eastern Brazil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 February 2009

Clarêncio Baracho ,
Sergio Cipolotti ,
Enrico Marcovaldi ,
Moacir Apolinário  and
Maurizelia Brito Silva
Clarêncio Baracho*
Affiliation:
Humpback Whale Institute, Brazil/Instituto Baleia Jubarte (IBJ), Caixa Postal 92, Praia do Forte, Mata de São João, Bahia, 48280-000, Brazil
Sergio Cipolotti
Affiliation:
Humpback Whale Institute, Brazil/Instituto Baleia Jubarte (IBJ), Caixa Postal 92, Praia do Forte, Mata de São João, Bahia, 48280-000, Brazil
Enrico Marcovaldi
Affiliation:
Humpback Whale Institute, Brazil/Instituto Baleia Jubarte (IBJ), Caixa Postal 92, Praia do Forte, Mata de São João, Bahia, 48280-000, Brazil
Moacir Apolinário
Affiliation:
CENPES/PETROBRAS, Cidade Universitária, Quadra 7, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-598, Brazil
Maurizelia Brito Silva
Affiliation:
Reserva Biológica do Atol das Rocas/IBAMA, AV Lixandrino de Alencar, 1399, Tirol, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, 59015-350
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Clarêncio Baracho, Humpback Whale Institute, Brazil/Instituto Baleia Jubarte (IBJ), Caixa Postal 92, Praia do Forte, Mata de São João, Bahia, 48280-000, Brazil email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The present work describes sightings of two groups of Tursiops truncatus, one with six and one with fifteen individuals, including four specimens identified by photograph and video, besides personal communications and records by other researchers. The presence of calves in the observed groups and the constant tactile interaction among the individuals suggest they may be using the area for socialization purposes. All the observations were taken on the north-western portion of the atoll which is the most sheltered throughout the year. The sightings of T. truncatus in the REBIO Atol das Rocas contribute to the knowledge about this species in Brazilian oceanic waters and highlight the importance of this area for the conservation of cetaceans.

Keywords

Tursiops truncatusAtol das RocasBrazildolphin sightings
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 1 , January 2008 , e75
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2007

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