Revision of the occurrence of the long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas (Traill, 1809), in the Azores
Prieto, R.; Fernandes, M. (2007). Revision of the occurrence of the long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas (Traill, 1809), in the Azores. Arquipélago (Ciénc. Biol. Mar./Life Mar. Sci.) 24: 65-69
In: Arquipélago. Ciências Biológicas e Marinhas = Arquipelago. Life and Marine Sciences. University of the Azores: Ponta Delgada. ISSN 0873-4704; e-ISSN 2182-9799, more
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| Abstract |
Although the expected distribution of the long-finned pilot whale in the Atlantic includes the Azores, overlapping with the known northern distribution of the short-finned pilot whale, the only documental references to the species in the archipelago are based on a single specimen captured in 1894. Moreover, a clear distinction between the two species of pilot-whales based on osteological grounds was only possible after 1971 and before that a great uncertainty existed about the phylogeny of the Genus. The long-finned pilot whale, thus, has never been confirmed by sightings at sea in the region and the extent of its occurrence to the South in the central North Atlantic has been, up to now, an open issue. Here we present evidence of the occurrence of the long-finned pilot whale in the Azores, based on two sightings made in different years. |
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