Clymene dolphins (Stenella clymene) in the eastern tropical Atlantic: distribution, group size, and pigmentation pattern

Clymene dolphins (Stenella clymene) in the eastern tropical Atlantic: distribution, group size, and pigmentation pattern

The Clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene) is endemic to warm Atlantic Ocean waters and is one of the least known delphinids. We reviewed existing published data (primarily strandings, captures, and bycatch) and unpublished sightings to examine the distribution, habitat, group size, seasonality, and pig...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of mammalogy Vol. 95; no. 6; pp. 1289 - 1298
Main Authors: Weir, Caroline R., Coles, Phil, Ferguson, Amy, May, Duncan, Baines, Mick, Figueirdo, Inês, Reichelt, Maren, Goncalves, Luis, de Boer, Marijke N., Rose, Barrie, Edwards, Matt, Travers, Sue, Ambler, Mike, Félix, Hugo, Wall, Dave, Azhakesan, Valeria A. A., Betenbaugh, Mike, Fennelly, Lea, Haaland, Sigbjørn, Hak, Guus, Juul, Terji, Leslie, Rob W., McNamara, Brian, Russell, Nichola, Smith, Jaclyn A., Tabisola, Heather M., Teixeira, Alexandra, Vermeulen, Els, Vines, Juliet, Williams, Andy
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Oxford American Society of Mammalogists 01-12-2014
Allen Press Publishing Services
Oxford University Press
Subjects:
Africa
Animals
Aquatic mammals
Behavior
Bycatch
Cetacea
Cetaceans
conservation status
Continental slope
Dolphins
Dolphins & porpoises
FEATURE ARTICLES
flank markings
Group size
Gulf of Guinea
Gulfs
habitat
Habitat conservation
Islands
Marine mammals
Oceans
Offshore
Pigmentation
Sea water
Seasonal variations
seasonality
sightings
Stenella clymene
Stripes
Water depth
Atlantic Ocean
Angola
Mauritania
Gulf of Mexico
ASE, Mauritania
ASE, Angola
AS, Tropical Atlantic
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Summary:The Clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene) is endemic to warm Atlantic Ocean waters and is one of the least known delphinids. We reviewed existing published data (primarily strandings, captures, and bycatch) and unpublished sightings to examine the distribution, habitat, group size, seasonality, and pigmentation patterns of Clymene dolphins within the eastern tropical Atlantic (ETA). Following photographic verification, 84 confirmed and 8 probable at-sea sightings of ETA Clymene dolphins were analyzed. The documented records ranged from ∼19°N in central Mauritania to 14°26′S in southern Angola, confirming 14 ETA range states. At-sea sightings occurred in water depths of 437–5,000 m and at distances from shore of 21–937 km, corresponding with a continental slope and oceanic habitat. Sightings within the wider ETA region had year-round occurrence. Group size ranged from 3–1,000 animals, with 60.9% of groups comprising ≤ 50 animals. Photographic examination revealed a complex and variable pigmentation pattern in ETA Clymene dolphins, which contrasts with the simple tripartite pattern often described for this species. In particular, most ETA animals had a dark gray lateral stripe extending diagonally along the flank from the beak to the genital area and a conspicuous dark gray eye–flipper stripe of varying intensity and thickness. The at-sea sightings documented here significantly extend current knowledge of the distribution, ecology, and appearance of the Clymene dolphin.
Bibliography:http://dx.doi.org/10.1644%2F14-MAMM-A-115
ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:0022-2372
1545-1542
1545-1542
DOI:10.1644/14-MAMM-A-115