TY - JOUR
T1 - First record of pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata) in the gulf of California, Mexico
T2 - Diet inferences and probable relation with warm conditions during 2014
AU - Elorriaga-Verplancken, Fernando R.
AU - Rosales-Nanduca, Hiram
AU - Paniagua-Mendoza, Aurora
AU - Martínez-Aguilar, Sergio
AU - Nader-Valencia, Ana K.
AU - Robles-Hernández, Roberto
AU - Gómez-Díaz, Francisco
AU - Jorge Urbán, R.
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - The pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) is one of the least studied cetacean species. It is a pan-tropical toothed whale not previously reported in the Gulf of California (GC). The aim of this study is to analyze the first sighting for this region in environmental and dietary terms. In October 2014, three pygmy killer whales were stranded and three others were sighted at sea in the Bay of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. We analyzed stomach contents and used skin samples from the dead individuals to evaluate stable isotopes of N and C. We found high δ15N (19.2 ± 0.2‰) and low δ13C (-16.5 ± 0.1‰) values, similar to those reported for other teuthophagous cetaceans in the GC. We also identified the remains of purpleback flying squids (Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis) in the stomach of the stranded individuals. The pres-ence of tropical species, like the pygmy killer whale and probably the purpleback flying squid, appeared to be related to the anomalous SST in the GC in 2014, which was 1 to 1.5° C warmer than the same period during 2013. This highlights the importance of monitoring how environmental changes alter the composition and distribution of cetacean species and their prey.
AB - The pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) is one of the least studied cetacean species. It is a pan-tropical toothed whale not previously reported in the Gulf of California (GC). The aim of this study is to analyze the first sighting for this region in environmental and dietary terms. In October 2014, three pygmy killer whales were stranded and three others were sighted at sea in the Bay of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. We analyzed stomach contents and used skin samples from the dead individuals to evaluate stable isotopes of N and C. We found high δ15N (19.2 ± 0.2‰) and low δ13C (-16.5 ± 0.1‰) values, similar to those reported for other teuthophagous cetaceans in the GC. We also identified the remains of purpleback flying squids (Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis) in the stomach of the stranded individuals. The pres-ence of tropical species, like the pygmy killer whale and probably the purpleback flying squid, appeared to be related to the anomalous SST in the GC in 2014, which was 1 to 1.5° C warmer than the same period during 2013. This highlights the importance of monitoring how environmental changes alter the composition and distribution of cetacean species and their prey.
KW - Anomalous warm conditions
KW - Diet
KW - Feresa attenuata
KW - Pygmy killer whales
KW - Stable isotopes
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84959019593&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.20
DO - 10.1578/AM.42.1.2016.20
M3 - Artículo
SN - 0167-5427
VL - 42
SP - 20
EP - 26
JO - Aquatic Mammals
JF - Aquatic Mammals
IS - 1
ER -