Polar Biology https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-018-02446-4

SHORT NOTE

Sighting of southern right (Lissodelphis peronii) in the Magellan Strait,

Marco Pinto‑Torres1,2 · Jorge Acevedo3,4 · Carla Mora5 · Eva Iglesias2 · Daniel Bravo2 · Francisco Martínez6

Received: 17 July 2018 / Revised: 22 October 2018 / Accepted: 12 December 2018 © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2019

Abstract The southern dolphin (Lissodelphis peronii) is a seldom seen cetacean of southern latitudes. In the eastern South Pacifc, there are less than 73 confrmed records of live and stranded . Moreover, all live individual records have been sighted in ofshore and deep waters, but not in the shallow water of the channels and fords of southern Chile. Two sightings of were made on March 21 and April 7, 2018 at Ballena Sound and Charles Islands in the western area of Magellan Strait. All individuals were identifed as putative adults. Both sightings may correspond to the same group of animals and, if this assumption is correct, the dolphins would have stayed at least 17 days in the area. Even though it is not clear whether the southern right whale dolphins were initially present in the Magellan Strait, or what route they took from the open sea and what biological and physical properties were determinants for this presence, without a doubt, the occurrence of southern right whale dolphins in the eastern South Pacifc channel systems is unusual.

Keywords Southern · Lissodelphis peronii · ecoregion · Magellan Strait · Chile

Introduction a circumpolar distribution in the occurring normally between 30° and 65°S (Brown 1982; The genus Lissodelphis (Gloger, 1841) consists of two Van Waerebeek et al. 1991; Jeferson et al. 1994; Newcomer of fnless dolphins, the northern right whale dol- et al. 1996). Both species difer in terms of coloration and phin L. borealis (Peale, 1848) occurring normally between habitat, with northern right whale dolphins mostly black 30° and 51°N in the North Pacifc Ocean, and the south- with a white ventral band running from the fuke notch to ern right whale dolphin L. peronii (Lacépède, 1804) with the gular region and observed most in waters with tempera- tures of 8–19 °C (Leatherwood and Walker 1979), while southern right whale dolphins are mostly black dorsally and * Jorge Acevedo white ventrally and inhabit waters with temperatures of 1–20 [email protected]; [email protected] °C (Cruickshank and Brown 1981; Kasamatsu et al. 1988; 1 Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de La Acuicultura, Newcomer et al. 1996). Universidad Austral de Chile, Los Pinos S/N, Puerto Montt, The distribution of southern right whale dolphins in the Chile eastern South Pacifc has been commonly reported to range 2 Centro FONDAP de Investigación de Ecosistemas Marinos from Arica (18°28′S) to (Fraser 1955; Brown de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Universidad Austral de Chile, 1973; Brownell 1974; Aguayo 1975; Van Waerebeek et al. Av. El Bosque 01789, Punta Arenas, Chile 1991; Aguayo-Lobo et al. 1998) with northernmost records 3 Centro de Estudios del Cuaternario de Fuego- near Pucusana, (12°30′S) (Van Waerebeek et al. y Antártica (Fundación CEQUA), Avenida España 184, 1991) and the southernmost around 57°S in the Drake Pas- Punta Arenas, Chile sage (Kasamatsu et al. 1990). However, there are less than 4 Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, 73 confrmed records for all of the eastern South Pacifc Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Carretera al Sur Km 5.5, 23080 La Paz, BCS, Mexico (Aguayo-Lobo et al. 1998). The normal habitat of southern right whale dolphins 5 Independent Researcher, Carlos Condell 0290, Punta Arenas, Chile appears to be strictly pelagic, though they are sometimes seen nearshore especially where deep water approaches the 6 Fitz Roy Expeditions S.A., Roca 825, Punta Arenas, Chile

Vol.:(0123456789)1 3 Polar Biology coast and in upwelling areas (Rose and Payne 1991; Jef- cover (c. 80%). Seventeen days later (April 7, 2018) a second ferson et al. 1994). Of the Chilean coast, the distribution group of fve unusual dolphins was observed near of Charles of southern right whale dolphins is speculated to extend to Island (53°45.60′S, 72°10.05′W) (Fig. 1) located south of at least 170 km ofshore north of 40°S and 250 km of the the MCPA for a time of c. 10 min. The sea during that time southern coast (Van Waerebeek et al. 1991). However, their was fat and slightly cloudy (c. 30%). occurrence inside the channels system has also been veri- Both groups were identifed as southern right whale dol- fed through a few reports of solitary stranded specimens phin based on the combination of unique characteristics such in exterior channels south of 40°S, Magellan Strait and as the pigmentation of a black body with white pigmen- (Goodall 1978, 1989; Venegas and Sielfeld tation on the melon, rostrum, fanks, pectoral fippers, tail 1978; Gibbons et al. 2000). It has been hypothesized that fukes and ventral surface, and the lack of a dorsal fn (Fraser some individuals enter the channels accidentally or when 1955; Newcome et al. 1996) (Fig. 2). All individuals were unhealthy and become stranded due to the unfamiliar envi- identifed as putative adults and no calves were observed. ronment, which in turn could help explain the skeletal mate- In addition, in both sightings, one (Lageno- rial found (Van Waerebeek et al. 1991). rhynchus obscurus Gray, 1828) was observed based on the The southern right whale dolphin is listed as Data Def- two-pronged fank patch (Fig. 2). cient by the IUCN Red Data List due to the lack of adequate The behavior of the dolphins on the frst sighting (March information to make an assessment of extinction risk for this 21) was initially swimming at low speed around the vessel species and the scarce knowledge of population structure, during the frst 15 min. Next, they leapt clear of the water among other aspects (Hammond et al. 2012). This species with faster swims and began hitting the sea surface with is also classifed as Data Defcient in the Chilean Species the tail and/or the body. At the same time, swarms of squat National List (RCE 2017). Here, we report the frst occur- lobster (Munida gregaria) were observed on the surface of rence of live southern right whale dolphins in the shallow the water. In the second sighting of Charles Islands (April water of the Magellan Strait, a subantarctic ecoregion of the 7), the dolphins approached the vessel and were bow-riding South Pacifc. for some minutes and then returned to the area where they were initially sighted while the vessel continued its naviga- tion. No squat lobster swarms were seen at the sea surface. Materials and methods There are 41 species of cetaceans described in Chile (Aguayo-Lobo et al. 1998; Acevedo et al. 2006a), of which The sightings were recorded by two of the authors (M. Pinto 17 correspond to the family Delphinidae. A total of 12 dol- and F. Martínez) in the western area of the Magellan Strait phin species have been documented in the fords and chan- onboard M/V ‘Forrest’ in March and April 2018. Non- nels system of the eastern South Pacifc subantarctic ecore- marine scientifc crews were often aboard on that gion (e.g., Aguayo-Lobo et al. 1998; Venegas and Sielfeld trip. These animals were diferent from the usual dolphin 1978; Gibbons et al. 2000; Haro et al. 2015; Acevedo et al. species that inhabit the Fueguian channels, attracting the 2017). Peale’s dolphin ( australis Peale, attention of the crew. Photographs and a digital video were 1848) and the ( eutropia taken of both sightings. The photographs were later reviewed Gray, 1846) are the most typical dolphins inhabiting this by another author (J. Acevedo) with experience in marine ecoregion of Chile (Venegas and Sielfeld 1978; Aguayo- mammal research at Punta Arenas for their identifcation. In Lobo et al. 1998; Gibbons et al. 2000). addition to the photographs and video, a logbook annotation Southern right whale dolphins normally inhabit ofshore was available with time of sightings, group size, behavior, waters, although they are also sometimes seen nearshore, weather and association with another species. especially where deep water approaches the coast (Rose and Payne 1991; Jeferson et al. 1994). To the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of southern right whale dolphins Results and discussion within the fords and channels of the southern tip of east- ern South Pacifc had been documented only through a few On March 21, 2018, during an oceanographic survey in solitary stranded specimens (Venegas and Sielfeld 1978; the Francisco Coloane Marine and Coastal Protected Area Sielfeld 1983; Van Waerebeek et al. 1991; Gibbons et al. (MCPA), a group of fve unusual dolphins was observed 2000). There is also a single reference to a live individual at Ballena Sound (53°39.97′S, 72°23.17′W), north-west of reported in the western area of the Magellan Strait (Gib- Magellan Strait, Chile, in waters with a bottom depth of bons et al. 2000). However, the validity of this sighting can less than 150 m (Fig. 1). The group was observed for c. be questioned because no detail such as date, geographical 30 min (from 16:45 hours). The sea was relatively calm with position and pictures were given. These have also been at sea surface temperature of 8.7 °C, and high level of cloud least ten other confrmed sightings of live southern right

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Fig. 1 Location of the southern right whale dolphins (Lissodelphis peronii) (closed circles) sighted in March and April 2018 in the Magellan Strait, Chile. Francisco Coloane Marine and Coastal Protected Area are sketched in dark dolphins in the Argentinean Beagle Channel from Furthermore, since Lesson and Garnot’s (1826) sighting of the 1990s (Natalia Dellabianca, personal communication), Cabo Pilar (52°43′S, 74°42′W) at the western end of the although those sightings preclude assessing whether the dol- Magellan Strait, no live southern right whale dolphins have phins came originally from the Atlantic or Pacifc Ocean been recorded despite hundreds of ships, including wildlife populations. Therefore, both southern right whale dolphins observation-oriented cruise ships, traversing the area dur- groups sighted in March and April 2018 would constitute the ing the 1980s and 1990s. This is also valid for at least the frst records of live individuals of this dolphin species inside western and central portion of the Magellan Strait, where the fords and channels of Chile. cetacean surveys have been conducted from 2000 during the Most noteworthy is the fact that both sightings in the summer/fall seasons without a single sighting of southern Magellan Strait may correspond to the same group of ani- right whale dolphin. Unlike L. obscurus/australis, south- mals and, if this assumption is correct, the fve southern ern right whale dolphins are unmistakable to identify, and right whale dolphins would have stayed at least 17 days in reports by even ship crews, birders or naturalists would be the area. Although this evidence is miniscule, this would not credible if L. peronii was a regular visitor. be far from the possibility raised by Goodall (1978), who Even though it is not clear whether this particular south- indicated that this species may occasionally inhabit shal- ern right whale dolphin group was initially present inside the low waters. Without a doubt, the paucity of the records of western area of the Magellan Strait, or if their route traveled southern right whale dolphins inside the complex of fords from the open sea to the Magellan Strait and what biologi- and channels from 40°S to the south suggests that its occur- cal and physical properties were determinants, the animals rence in shallow waters is unusual or accidental, confrm- must have found suitable food in the Magellan Strait waters. ing an earlier hypothesis by Van Waerebeek et al. (1991). The place where the southern right whale dolphins were

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Fig. 2 Southern right whale dolphins (a–d) together with one dusky dolphin (L. obscurus) (b, e, f) sighted in Ballena Sound and Charles Islands, Magellan Strait, Chile sighted is known to be a distinctive feeding area for hump- southern right whale dolphins reported in central Chile, one back (Gibbons et al. 2003; Acevedo et al. 2006b, stomach included lanternfsh otoliths (mainly Hygophum 2011, 2013) as well as for other marine and sea- hanseni) and beaks (mostly Gonatus antarcticus) birds (Haro et al. 2013). In that particular area, more than (Torres and Aguayo 1979), and the other included unidenti- 20 fsh species have been reported, with genera represented fed otoliths and the remains of cephalopod and decapod by Paranotothenia, Patagonothen, Merluccius, Macruro- crustaceans (Van Waerebeek et al. 1991). In another two nus, Genypterus and Sprattus among others, as well as squat specimens stranded in , Macruronus novaez- lobster among decapod crustaceans (Haro et al. 2013) and elandiae otoliths and Nototodaris sloani (arrow squid) beaks cephalopod spp., which can be potential prey items of south- were found in their stomachs (Baker 1981). ern right whale dolphins. Little is known about the feeding Finally, the association of southern right whale dolphin habits of L. peronii, but it has been suggested that it preys with other cetacean species is not surprising (Jeferson et al. primarily on mesopelagic fshes and squid (Jeferson et al. 1994). In Chilean waters, L. peronii has been reported to be 1994). There is also geographical variability of the known accompanied by small numbers of common dolphins (Del- prey species. For example, of the two stomach contents of phinus delphis) (Van Waerebeek et al. 1991). Therefore, the

1 3 Polar Biology dusky dolphin sighted with the fve southern right whale Aguayo-Lobo A, Torres D, Acevedo J (1998) Los mamíferos mari- dolphins in both sightings can be added to the list of ceta- nos de Chile: 1. . Ser Cient Inst Antart Chil 48:19–159 Baker AN (1981) The southern right whale dolphin Lissodelphis ceans known to be associating with the former species in the peronii (Lacépède) in Australasian waters. Nat Mus N Z Rec eastern South Pacifc. In the South Atlantic, the association 2:17–34 between southern right whale dolphins and dusky dolphins Brown SG (1973) Recent sight records of southern right whale dol- has been previously reported (Cruickshank and Brown 1981; phins in the Pacifc Ocean. Mar Observ 43:78–80 Brown SG (1982) Southern right whale dolphins of the South West Rose and Payne 1991), although southern right whale dol- coast. Mar Observ 5:33–34 phins are more often seen in association with pilot whales Brownell RL Jr (1974) Small odontocetes of the Antarctic. 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