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J. CETACEAN RES. MANAGE. 11(1):49–63, 2009 49 J. CETACEANCETACEAN RES. MANAGE. MANAGE. 11(1):49–11(1):49–63,63,­­ 2010 2009 49 J. CETACEAN RES. MANAGE. 11(1):49–63, 2009 49 Marine mammal records from Iran Marine mammal records from Iran * + # ^ ** GILLIAN T. BRAULIK*,SHARIF RANJBAR+,FEREIDOON OWFI#,TEYMOUR AMINRAD^,SEYED MOHAMMAD HASHEM DAKHTEH**, GILLIAN T. BRAULIK*,SHARIF RANJBAR+,FEREIDOON OWFI#,TEYMOUR AMINRAD^,SEYED MOHAMMAD HASHEM DAKHTEH**, GEHSANILLIANKT.AMRANI BRAULIK++AND*,SHARIFFATEMEHRANJBARMOHSENIZADEH+,FEREIDOON^^ OWFI#,TEYMOUR AMINRAD^,SEYED MOHAMMAD HASHEM DAKHTEH**, EHSAN KAMRANI++AND FATEMEH MOHSENIZADEH^^ EHSAN KAMRANI++AND FATEMEH MOHSENIZADEH^^ Contact e-mail: [email protected] Contact e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT ABSTRACT ABSTRACT ABSTRACTIran has 1,700km of coastline that borders the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea in the northwest Indian Ocean. Apart from a handful of records, Iran has 1,700km of coastline that borders the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea in the northwest Indian Ocean. Apart from a handful of records, Iranalmost has nothing 1,700km is ofknown coastline about that which borders marine the mammal Persian Gulf species and occur the Arabian in Iranian Sea waters. in the northwest This review Indian was Ocean.conducted Apart to fill from this a handful information of records, gap. A almost nothing is known about which marine mammal species occur in Iranian waters. This review was conducted to fill this information gap. A almosttotal of nothing 127 marine is known mammal about records which of marine 14 species mammal were species compiled occur from in Iranian Iranian waters. coastal This waters. review Ninety-nine was conducted were from to fill the this Persian information Gulf, 26 gap. from A total of 127 marine mammal records of 14 species were compiled from Iranian coastal waters. Ninety-nine were from the Persian Gulf, 26 from totalthe Gulf of 127 of Oman marine and mammal 2 were recordsof unknown of 14 location. species Records were compiled of finless from porpoise Iranian (Neophocaena coastal waters. phocaenoides Ninety-nine) were (25), from Indo-Pacific the Persian humpback Gulf, 26 dolphin from the Gulf of Oman and 2 were of unknown location. Records of finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) (25), Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin the(Sousa Gulf chinensis of Oman) and (24) 2 and were Indo-Pacific of unknown bottlenose location. Records dolphin (ofTursiops finless porpoise aduncus) (Neophocaena (22) were by far phocaenoides the most numerous,) (25), Indo-Pacific a probable humpback reflection dolphin of their (Sousa chinensis) (24) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) (22) were by far the most numerous, a probable reflection of their (inshoreSousa chinensis distribution) (24) and and local Indo-Pacific abundance. bottlenose Other species dolphin recorded (Tursiops were aduncus long-beaked) (22) were common by far the dolphin most (numerous,Delphinus a capensis probable tropicalis reflection), of rough- their inshore distribution and local abundance. Other species recorded were long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis tropicalis), rough- inshoretoothed distribution dolphin (Steno and bredanensis local abundance.), striped Other dolphin species (Stenella recorded coeruleoalba were long-beaked), spinner common dolphin (Stenella dolphin (longirostrisDelphinus), capensis Risso’stropicalis dolphin (),Grampus rough- toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus toothedgriseus), dolphinfalse killer (Steno whale bredanensis (Pseudorca), striped crassidens), dolphinsperm (Stenella whale coeruleoalba (Physeter macrocephalus), spinner dolphin) and dugong (Stenella (Dugong longirostris dugon),) Risso’s. Records dolphin of 26mysticetes (Grampus griseus), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and dugong (Dugong dugon). Records of 26 mysticetes griseuswere compiled,), false killer 10 of whale which (Pseudorca were tentatively crassidens), identifiedsperm as whale Bryde’s (Physeter whales macrocephalus (Balaenoptera) edeni and dugong), 1 possible (Dugong fin whale dugon ()Balaenoptera. Records of 26 physalus mysticetes), 3 were compiled, 10 of which were tentatively identified as Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni), 1 possible fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), 3 werehumpback compiled, whales 10 ( ofMegaptera which were novaeangliae tentatively) identifiedand the remainder as Bryde’s were whales not identified (Balaenoptera to species. edeni The), 1 largest possible threat fin whale to small (Balaenoptera cetaceans in Iranphysalus is likely), 3 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the remainder were not identified to species. The largest threat to small cetaceans in Iran is likely humpbackto be incidental whales capture (Megaptera in fishing novaeangliae gear. Nine) and finless the porpoisesremainder were were recorded not identified as bycatch to species. and thisThe and largest other threat coastal to small species cetaceans may be in declining Iran is likely due to be incidental capture in fishing gear. Nine finless porpoises were recorded as bycatch and this and other coastal species may be declining due toto beunsustainable incidental capture mortality in rates. fishing Some gear. of Nine the world’s finless porpoises busiest shipping were recorded lanes pass as through bycatch Iranian and this waters and other and ship coastal strikes species are likely may be to declining be the largest due to unsustainable mortality rates. Some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes pass through Iranian waters and ship strikes are likely to be the largest tothreat unsustainable to mysticetes mortality in the rates. area. Some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes pass through Iranian waters and ship strikes are likely to be the largest threat to mysticetes in the area. threat to mysticetes in the area. KEYWORDS: DISTRIBUTION; NORTHERN HEMISPHERE; INDIAN OCEAN; IRAN; SIRENIA; STRANDINGS; CONSERVATION; KEYWORDS: DISTRIBUTION; NORTHERN HEMISPHERE; INDIAN OCEAN; IRAN; SIRENIA; STRANDINGS; CONSERVATION; KEYWORDS:PERSIAN GULF; DISTRIBUTION; FINLESS PORPOISE; NORTHERN INDO-PACIFIC HEMISPHERE; HUMPBACK INDIAN DOLPHIN;OCEAN; IRAN; LONG-BEAKED SIRENIA; STRANDINGS; COMMON DOLPHIN; CONSERVATION; ROUGH- KEYWORDS:PERSIAN GULF; DISTRIBUTION; FINLESS PORPOISE; NORTHERN INDO-PACIFIC HEMISPHERE; HUMPBACK INDIAN DOLPHIN;OCEAN; IRAN; LONG-BEAKED SIRENIA; STRANDINGS; COMMON DOLPHIN; CONSERVATION; ROUGH- PERSIANTOOTHED GULF; DOLPHIN; FINLESS STRIPED PORPOISE; DOLPHIN INDO-PACIFIC ; SPINNER HUMPBACK DOLPHIN; DOLPHIN; RISSO’S LONG-BEAKED DOLPHIN; FALSE COMMON KILLER DOLPHIN; WHALE; ROUGH- SPERM PERSIANTOOTHED GULF; DOLPHIN; FINLESS STRIPED PORPOISE; DOLPHIN INDO-PACIFIC ; SPINNER HUMPBACK DOLPHIN; DOLPHIN; RISSO’S LONG-BEAKED DOLPHIN; FALSE COMMON KILLER DOLPHIN; WHALE; ROUGH- SPERM TOOTHEDWHALE; BRYDE’S DOLPHIN; DOLPHIN; WHALES; STRIPED STRIPED FIN DOLPHIN DOLPHIN;WHALE; HUMPBACK ; SPINNER DOLPHIN;WHALE. RISSO’S RISSO’S DOLPHIN; DOLPHIN; FALSE FALSE KILLER WHALE; SPERM SPERM TOOTHEDWHALE; BRYDE’S DOLPHIN; WHALES; STRIPED FIN DOLPHIN WHALE; HUMPBACK ; SPINNER WHALE.DOLPHIN; RISSO’S DOLPHIN; FALSE KILLER WHALE; SPERM WHALE; BRYDE’S WHALES; FIN WHALE; HUMPBACK WHALE.

INTRODUCTION salinity, commonly measured at 40-50ppt and up to 70ppt in INTRODUCTION salinity, commonly measured at 40-50ppt and up to 70ppt in INTRODUCTION shallow, enclosed bays in the southeast (Sheppard, 1993) and The southern coast of the Islamic Republic of Iran is 1,700km shallow, enclosed bays in the southeast (Sheppard, 1993) and The southern coast of the Islamic Republic of Iran is 1,700km highly variable sea surface temperatures between 12ºC and inin length, length, and and is is bordered bordered to to the the east east by by Pakistan Pakistan and and to to the the highly variable sea surface temperatures between 12ºC and in length, and is bordered to the east by Pakistan and to the 35ºC (ROPME, 2003). The harsh environment of the Persian west by Iraq (Fig. 1). There are four coastal provinces, from 35ºC (ROPME, 2003). The harsh environment of the Persian west by Iraq (Fig. 1). There are four coastal provinces, from Gulf, combined with its recent geologic origin, have created west to east: Khuzestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan, and Sistan and Gulf, combined with its recent geologic origin, have created west to east: Khuzestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan, and Sistan and biological communities characterised by low species Baluchistan. The marine environment of Iran includes two biological communities characterised by low species Baluchistan. The marine environment of Iran includes two richness and moderate to low primary productivity compared very different habitats; the Persian Gulf, a warm, hyper- richness and moderate to low primary productivity compared very different habitats; the Persian Gulf, a warm, hyper- toto the the Arabian Arabian Sea Sea (Price, (Price, 2002; 2002; Sheppard, Sheppard, 1993). 1993). In In contrast, contrast, saline, shallow and enclosed sea and the Gulf of Oman, a to the Arabian Sea (Price, 2002; Sheppard, 1993). In contrast, saline, shallow and enclosed sea and the Gulf of Oman, a thethe Gulf Gulf of of Oman Oman exhibits exhibits characteristics characteristics typical typical of of pelagic pelagic relatively more exposed and deep component of the Arabian the Gulf of Oman exhibits characteristics typical of pelagic relatively more exposed and deep component of the Arabian ecosystems having lower and less variable temperature and Sea in the northwest Indian Ocean. The Persian Gulf is ecosystems having lower and less variable temperature and Sea in the northwest Indian Ocean. The Persian Gulf is salinity, greater depth (>2,000m), and higher productivity connected to the Gulf of Oman by the Straits of Hormoz, a salinity, greater depth (>2,000m), and higher productivity connected to the Gulf of Oman by the Straits of Hormoz, a and species richness (Reynolds, 1993; ROPME, 2003; channel approximately 50km wide and 100m deep at its and species richness (Reynolds, 1993; ROPME, 2003; channel approximately 50km wide and 100m deep at its Subba-Rao and Al-Yamani, 1998). narrowest point (Fig 1). Qeshm Island, 120km long and up to Subba-Rao and Al-Yamani, 1998). narrowest point (Fig 1). Qeshm Island, 120km long and up to Important fisheries for Penaeid shrimp, grouper, jack fish 30km wide, is the largest island in the Gulf and is separated Important fisheries for Penaeid shrimp, grouper, jack fish 30km wide, is the largest island in the Gulf and is separated and Spanish mackerel, exist in the Persian Gulf (Price et al.,, from the Iranian coast by the narrow Khurran Straits. The and Spanish mackerel, exist in the Persian Gulf (Price et al., from the Iranian coast by the narrow Khurran Straits. The 1993) and for large pelagics, especially tuna, and small Hara Protected Area lies on the north coast of Qeshm Island 1993) and for large pelagics, especially tuna, and small Hara Protected Area lies on the north coast of Qeshm Island pelagics, such as sardines and anchovies, in the Gulf of Oman encompassing 100,000ha of mangrove and inter-tidal pelagics, such as sardines and anchovies, in the Gulf of Oman encompassing 100,000ha of mangrove and inter-tidal (FAO, 2005). Iran has the largest fishing fleet and reports the channels (see Fig. 2b). Established in 1972, it is the largest (FAO, 2005). Iran has the largest fishing fleet and reports the channels (see Fig. 2b). Established in 1972, it is the largest largestlargest landings landings in in the the region, region, however however the the fisheries fisheries sector sector marine protected area in Iran. largest landings in the region, however the fisheries sector marine protected area in Iran. contributes only 0.23% to the GDP of this rich nation (FAO, In Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf, extensive shallow contributes only 0.23% to the GDP of this rich nation (FAO, In Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf, extensive shallow 2005). Purse seine fisheries for tuna in the Indian Ocean have areas less than 25m deep exist adjacent to Iraq and around 2005). Purse seine fisheries for tuna in the Indian Ocean have areas less than 25m deep exist adjacent to Iraq and around been expanding, and in 2003 Iran landed 11,830t, 12% of Qeshm Island. Water enters the enclosed Persian Gulf been expanding, and in 2003 Iran landed 11,830t, 12% of Qeshm Island. Water enters the enclosed Persian Gulf western Indian Ocean tuna catches (FAO, 2005). throughthrough the the Hormoz Hormoz Straits Straits and and a a density density and and wind wind driven driven western Indian Ocean tuna catches (FAO, 2005). through the Hormoz Straits and a density and wind driven The Persian Gulf is far from pristine; it is one of the world’s counter-clockwise current flows northwest along the Iranian The Persian Gulf is far from pristine; it is one of the world’s counter-clockwise current flows northwest along the Iranian busiest shipping lanes, with approximately 25,000-35,000 oil coast and then southeast along the Arabian coast with a busiest shipping lanes, with approximately 25,000-35,000 oil coast and then southeast along the Arabian coast with a tankerstankers carrying carrying about about 60% 60% of of the the world’s world’s oil oil passing passing through through turnoverturnover time time that that ranges ranges from from 3 3 to to 5.5 5.5 years years (Sheppard, (Sheppard, tankers carrying about 60% of the world’s oil passing through turnover time that ranges from 3 to 5.5 years (Sheppard, thethe Strait Strait of of Hormoz Hormoz each each year year (UNEP, (UNEP, 1999). 1999). It It has has 1993). As a consequence of the extreme aridity and high the Strait of Hormoz each year (UNEP, 1999). It has 1993). As a consequence of the extreme aridity and high experienced three major wars;: Iran-Iraq (1980-88), Gulf War summer temperatures (up to 48ºC) in the region, evaporation experienced three major wars; Iran-Iraq (1980-88), Gulf War summer temperatures (up to 48ºC) in the region, evaporation (1991) and Iraq (2003), the world’s largest oil spill (1 million exceeds freshwater input tenfold creating extremely high (1991) and Iraq (2003), the world’s largest oil spill (1 million exceeds freshwater input tenfold creating extremely high tonnestonnes of of crude) crude) in in 1991; 1991; and and multiple multiple other other large large spills spills tonnes of crude) in 1991; and multiple other large spills

* Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 8LB, UK. * Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 8LB, UK. *+SeaUniversity Mammal of Research Marine Science Unit, Scottish and Technology, Oceans Institute, Khoramshar, University Khuzestan, of St. Andrews, Iran. St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 8LB, UK. + SeaUniversity Mammal of ResearchMarine Science Unit, Scottish and Technology, Oceans Institute, Khoramshar, University Khuzestan, of St. Andrews, Iran. St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 8LB, UK. +# IranianUniversity Fisheries of Marine Research Science Organisation, and Technology, PO Box: Khoramshar, 14155-6116, Khuzestan, Tehran, Iran. Iran. # IranianUniversity Fisheries of Marine Research Science Organisation, and Technology, PO Box: Khoramshar, 14155-6116, Khuzestan, Tehran, Iran. Iran. #^ IranianOffshore Fisheries Fisheries Research Research Organisation, Centre, Iranian PO Box: Fisheries 14155-6116, Research Tehran, Organisation, Iran. Daneshgah Avenue, Shilat Square, Chabahar 99717, Sistan and ^ IranianOffshore Fisheries Fisheries Research Research Organisation, Centre, Iranian PO Box:Fisheries 14155-6116, Research Tehran, Organisation, Iran. Daneshgah Avenue, Shilat Square, Chabahar 99717, Sistan and ^ OffshoreBaluchistan, Fisheries Iran. Research Centre, Iranian Fisheries Research Organisation, Daneshgah Avenue, Shilat Square, Chabahar 99717, Sistan and OffshoreBaluchistan, Fisheries Iran. Research Centre, Iranian Fisheries Research Organisation, Daneshgah Avenue, Shilat Square, Chabahar 99717, Sistan and ** Baluchistan,Environmental Iran. Management Office, Qeshm Free Area Organisation, Qeshm Island, Iran. ** Baluchistan,Environmental Iran. Management Office, Qeshm Free Area Organisation, Qeshm Island, Iran. **++EnvironmentalVice Chair Research, Management Hormozgan Office, University, Qeshm Free Bandar Area Organisation,Abbas, Hormozgan, Qeshm Iran. Island, Iran. ++EnvironmentalVice Chair Research, Management Hormozgan Office, University, Qeshm Free Bandar Area Organisation,Abbas, Hormozgan, Qeshm Iran. Island, Iran. ++^^ BiologicalVice Chair Museum, Research, Iran Hormozgan Shrimp Research University, Centre, Bandar Iran Abbas, Fisheries Hormozgan, Research Iran. Organisation, Bushehr, Iran. ^^ BiologicalVice Chair Museum, Research, Iran Hormozgan Shrimp Research University, Centre, Bandar Iran Abbas, Fisheries Hormozgan, Research Iran. Organisation, Bushehr, Iran. ^^ Biological Museum, Iran Shrimp Research Centre, Iran Fisheries Research Organisation, Bushehr, Iran. 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 50

50 BRAULIK et al.: MARINE MAMMAL RECORDS FROM IRAN

Fig. 1. 1. Iran, Iran, the the Persian Persian Gulf Gulf and and Gulf Gulf of Oman of Oman (English (English spelling spelling of Farsi of names Farsi namesare taken are from taken those from used those on maps used onproduced maps producedby the by the Gita Shenasi GitaCartographic Shenasi Cartographic and Geographic and Geographic Institute, Tehran, Institute, Iran). Tehran, For Iran). (a), (b) For and (a), (c) (b) seeand Fig. (c) see 2. Fig. 2

including the Nowruz spill in 1983 (Gerges, 1993; Price et al., based on external and cranial morphology and tooth counts. 1994; ROPME, 2003). As a result of normal oil extraction and Records were also compiled by the authors from good quality transport it has been estimated that in a ten year period 1.5 photographs or video recordings of marine mammal sightings million tonnes of oil are released into the Persian Gulf and strandings. From January 2006 onwards, an informal (Michel et al., 1986). The World Conservation Monitoring stranding network was established and new strandings data Centre (WCMC, 1991) suggested that the Persian Gulf is the were opportunistically collected and systematically collated. most oil polluted marine area in the world. Records were compiled from published references in English There have been at least two mass mortalities of cetaceans and English translations of references in Farsi. in the southern Persian Gulf: the first, in 1986 involved 520 cetaceans (comprising six from Iran) and was tentatively linked to a red tide event (Baldwin et al., 1999; ROPME, RECORDS 1986; Subba-Rao and Al-Yamani, 1998), the second, in 1991 A total of 127 marine mammal records of 14 species were around the time of the GulfW war oil spill, involved 71 compiled from Iranian coastal waters of the Persian Gulf and dolphins and the cause was not determined (Preen, 2004; Gulf of Oman. Ninety-nine were from the Persian Gulf, 26 Robineau, 1998). Between 1986 and 1999, Preen (2004) from the Gulf of Oman and 2 were of unknown location. The recorded a 71% decline in cetacean abundance along the largest numbers of records were from Qeshm Island (39) and coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Persian Gulf. Bushehr Provinces (32), which is probably because there are Almost nothing is known about the marine mammal active marine biologists working in these locations. Records of species that inhabit the coastal waters of Iran other than a finless porpoises, Neophocaena phocaenoides (25), Indo- handful of records published in local journals, and the Iranian Pacific humpback dolphins, Sousa chinensis (24) and Indo- coastline is among the least studied marine areas in the world Pacific bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops aduncus (22) were by far (Price et al., 1994). This review was conducted to fill this the most numerous, a probable reflection of their inshore information gap with the hope that it will stimulate future distribution and local abundance. Other species recorded were studies and conservation of the marine mammal fauna of Iran. long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis tropicalis), rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis), striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), spinner dolphins (Stenella METHODS longirostris), Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), false killer From 17 November to 10 December 2005, marine mammal whales (Pseudorca crassidens), sperm whales (Physeter records were compiled during visits to universities, natural macrocephalus) and dugongs (Dugong dugon). Records of 26 history museums, Department of Environment (DoE) offices, mysticetes were compiled, 10 of which were tentatively Iranian Fisheries Research Organisation (IFRO) centres and identified as Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni),1asa various wildlife non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in possible fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), 3 as humpback Tehran, Bushehr city, Kish Island, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the remainder were not Island and Chabahar city. Security constraints restricted identified to the species level. Some individuals stranded and access to Khuzestan Province adjacent to Iraq and to the the skeleton was then collected, these are counted as a single Pakistan border areas and time constraints limited the number record (see several mysticete records in Table 1). The location of visits to smaller cities on the coast. Fewer marine mammal of each record has been plotted, using GPS data when available records from these areas reflect the lack of ‘effort’ rather than or described locations if they were relatively precise, on Fig. 2a marine mammal abundance. (South-west(Southwest Iran Iran coast), coast), Fig. Fig. 2b 2b (Qeshm (Qeshm Island Island and Cetacean skeletal remains are stored in a number of natural Hormozgan) or Fig. 2c (Gulf of Oman), and records are history museums in Tehran and in towns along the coast. compiled in Table 1. The following is a description of Iranian Specimens were photographed and identification was made marine mammal records by species and location. 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 51 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 51 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 51

J. CETACEANCETACEAN RES. MANAGE. 11(1):49-11(1):51–65,­­63, 2010 2009 51 J. CETACEAN RES. MANAGE. 11(1):51–65, 2009 51 J. CETACEAN RES. MANAGE. 11(1):51–65, 2009 51

Fig. 2. Location of marine mammal records along (a) the southwest coast of Iran; (b) in the vicinity of Hormozgan and Qeshm Island; and (c) in the Fig.Gulf 2. ofLocation Oman, of Iran marine mammal records along (a) the southwest coast of Iran; (b) in the vicinity of Hormozgan and Qeshm Island; and (c) in the Fig.Gulf 2. Location of Oman, of Iran marine mammal records along (a) the southwest coast of Iran; (b) in the vicinity of Hormozgan and Qeshm Island; and (c) in the Fig.Gulf 2. Location of Oman, of Iranmarine mammal records along: (a) the southwest coast of Iran; (b) in the vicinity of Hormozgan and Qeshm Island; and (c) in the Gulf of Oman, Iran. 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 52

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J. CETACEAN RES. MANAGE. 11(1):51–65, 2009 55 J. CETACEAN CETACEAN RES. MANAGE. 11(1):49-11(1):51–65,­­63, 2010 2009 55 Odontocetes J. CETACEAN RES. MANAGE.GULF OF OMAN GULFThe only OF OMAN record indicating the presence of Tursiops sp. in Odontocetes GULF OF OMAN Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) TheIranian only waters record of indicating the Gulf of the Oman presence is a skullof Tursiops stored insp. the in IranianIFRO office waters in of the Chabahar Gulf of (Table Oman is 1). a skullTursiops storedsp. in theare Indo-PacificThe Indo-Pacific bottlenose bottlenose dolphin dolphin(Tursiops occurs aduncus) throughout the Iranian waters of the Gulf of Oman is a skull stored in the TheIndian Indo-Pacific Ocean including bottlenose the Persian dolphin Gulf occurs and throughout Gulf of Oman the IFROcommonly office sighted in Chabahar along the (Table Oman 1). coastTursiops of the Gulfsp. are of Indianwhere Ocean it is including considered the sympatricPersian Gulf with and Gulf the of common Oman commonlyOman (Ballance sighted and along Pitman, the 1998; Oman Collins coastet of al. the, 2002) Gulf and of wherebottlenose it is dolphin, consideredT. truncatus sympatric. Genetic with the analysis common of Omanit is likely (Ballance thatand despite Pitman, the lack1998; of Collins recordset al. they, 2002) are also and bottlenose dolphins dolphin, sampledT. truncatus in deep. Genetic oceanic analysis waters off of itcommon is likely in thatIranian despite waters. the lack of records they are also bottlenoseOman indicated dolphins that they sampled were incommon deep oceanicbottlenose waters dolphins off common in Iranian waters. (Sousa chinensis) Oman(Ballance indicated and Pitman, that they 1998) were but common most other bottlenose authors dolphins in the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) (Ballanceregion referred and Pitman, to all bottlenose 1998) but most dolphin other records authors as in Indo- the Indo-PacificThe taxonomy humpback of the Genus dolphinSousa(Sousais chinensis) unresolved despite regionPacific referred bottlenose to dolphins all bottlenose (Preen, dolphin 2004; records Robineau, as1998; Indo- Theseveral taxonomy recent morphological of the Genus andSousa molecularis unresolved genetic despite studies PacificRobineau bottlenose and Fiquet, dolphins 1996). (Preen, Skulls from 2004; the Robineau, Iranian coast 1998; of several(Jefferson recent and morphological Van Waerebeek, and 2004; molecular Rosenbaum genetic studieset al., Robineauthe Persian and Gulf Fiquet, showed 1996). the Skulls convex from the pre-maxillaries Iranian coastof in (Jefferson2002). Humpback and Van dolphins Waerebeek, in 2004; Iran are Rosenbaum primarilyet grey, al., thelateral Persian view, high Gulf tooth showed counts the and convex distance pre-maxillaries between the tip in 2002).possess Humpback prominent dolphins dorsal humps in Iran and are morphologically primarily grey, lateralof rostrum view, highto the tooth apex counts of theand distance premaxillary between convexity the tip possessconform toprominent the description dorsal of humpsSousa plumbea and morphologically(Ross et al., of(TPC)/condylobasal rostrum to the apex length of (CBL) the premaxillary ascribed to convexitythe Indo- conform1994). To to remain the description in line with of Sousa current plumbea scientific(Ross consensuset al., (TPC)/condylobasalPacific bottlenose dolphin length (Robineau, (CBL) ascribed 1998; Robineau to the Indo- and 1994).and until To the remain taxonomic in line status with of currentS. plumbea scientificis resolved consensus all PacificFiquet, bottlenose1996; Ross, dolphin 1977; 1984; (Robineau, Wang 1998;et al., Robineau 2000). Given and andrecords until of theSousa taxonomicsp. and statusSotalia of S.sp. plumbea in Iranis are resolved treated all as Fiquet,this, all 1996; bottlenose Ross, dolphin 1977; 1984; records Wang inet Iran al. are, 2000). referred Given to recordsSousa chinensis of Sousa. sp. and Sotalia sp. in Iran are treated as this,here asall Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin bottlenose records dolphins. in Iran It is are possible referred that to SousaIndo-Pacific chinensis. humpback dolphins occur in shallow, heremore as detailed Indo-Pacific investigations, bottlenose especiallydolphins. It in is possiblethe Gulf that of nearshoreIndo-Pacific waters, humpback generally less dolphins than 20m occur deep inand shallow,in many moreOman, detailed may also investigations, reveal the presence especially of common in the bottlenose Gulf of nearshoreparts of theirwaters, worldwide generally less range than occur 20m deep near and large in many river Oman,dolphins may in Iran. also reveal the presence of common bottlenose partsmouths. of Water their depth worldwide is probably range the occur main near factor large limiting river dolphinsTwenty-two in Iran. records of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins mouths.their offshore Water depth distribution is probably (Jefferson the main and factor Karczmarski, limiting wereTwenty-two compiled records from Iranian of Indo-Pacific coastal waters; bottlenose 1 record dolphins was their2001). offshore They have distribution been recorded (Jefferson as a common and Karczmarski, resident in werefrom the compiled Gulf of from Oman, Iranian 2 from coastal the Straits waters; of Hormoz 1 record and was 19 2001).shallow They areas have from been all countries recorded that as border a common the Persian resident Gulf in fromwere the in Gulf the of Persian Oman, Gulf. 2 from There the Straits were of 6 Hormoz strandings, and 19 7 shallow(Baldwin areaset from al., all2004; countries Preen, that 2004; border Robineau, the Persian 1998; Gulf weresightings in the and Persian the skeletal Gulf. remains There of were 9 animals 6 strandings, stored in 7 (BaldwinWeitkowitz,et 1992). al., 2004; The majority Preen, of 2004; sightings Robineau, are of one 1998; to sightingsmuseums. and the skeletal remains of 9 animals stored in Weitkowitz,20 individuals, 1992). although The unusuallymajority of large sightings groups are of upof oneto 100 to museums. 20have individuals, also been althoughseen (Baldwin unusuallyet al. large, 2004). groups of up to 100 PERSIAN GULF haveFor also this been study, seen 24 (Baldwin recordset of al., humpback 2004). dolphins in IranianFor this waters study, were 24 compiled; records 22 of from humpback the Persian dolphins Gulf and in PERSIANBottlenose GULF dolphins are widely distributed throughout the For this study, 24 records of humpback dolphins in BottlenosePersian Gulf dolphins and are arethe most widely commonly distributed recorded throughout cetacean the Iranian2 from watersthe Gulf were of Oman. compiled; These 22 comprisedfrom the Persian 20 sightings Gulf and,2 Persian(Al-Robaae, Gulf 1974;and are Baldwin the mostet commonly al., 1999; recordedGallagher, cetacean 1991a; 2skeletal from the records Gulf and of Oman. 2 strandings. These comprised 20 sightings,2 (Al-Robaae,Preen, 2004; 1974; Robineau, Baldwin 1998).et al., 1999; In the Gallagher, southern 1991a; Gulf skeletal records and 2 strandings. Preen,bottlenose 2004; dolphins Robineau, are found 1998). in deeper In the water southern than Indo- Gulf PERSIAN GULF bottlenosePacific humpback dolphins dolphins; are found 29% in deeperof groups water seen than by PreenIndo- PERSIANThe majority GULF of Iranian Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Pacific(2004) humpbackand almost dolphins; all of those 29% seen of groups by Henningsen seen by Preen and Therecords majority (18) are of from Iranian Qeshm Indo-Pacific Island and Hormozgan humpback Province dolphin (2004)Constantine and almost (1992) allwere of in those water seen greater by Henningsen than 10m deep. and recordsin the Persian (18) are Gulf. from There Qeshm are Island several and records Hormozgan from Province the Iraqi ConstantineIndo-Pacific (1992) bottlenose were dolphins in water greaterare also than common 10m deep. and incoast the very Persian close Gulf. to the There Iranian are several border: records a group from (reported the Iraqi as Indo-Pacificwidespread in bottlenose Iranian waters dolphins of the Persian are also Gulf. common Four Indo- and coastStenella very malayana close toand theSotalia Iranian lentiginosa border: a) group was seen (reported near Fao as widespreadPacific bottlenose in Iranian dolphins waters of have the Persianbeen recorded Gulf. Four stranded Indo- Stenella(Al-Robaae, malayana 1974);and oneSotalia individual lentiginosa (reported) was as S. seen lentiginosa near Fao) Pacificnear to bottlenose Bushehr port, dolphins the skulls have of been three recorded individuals stranded are (Al-Robaae,was captured 1974); by fishermen one individual in the Khor-Al-Zubair (reported as S. lentiginosa River (Al-) nearstored to in Bushehr the IFRO port, office the in skulls Bushehr of three city and individuals a skull and are wasRobaae, captured 1970); by they fishermen were reported in the Khor-Al-Zubair from the Shatt River Al-Arab, (Al- storedskeleton in reportedly the IFRO from office Bushehr in Bushehr is stored city at and the aMuseum skull and of Robaae,Iraq (close 1970); to the they Iranian were reported border) from in April the Shatt 1958 Al-Arab, (Mörzer skeletonNatural History reportedly in fromTehran. Bushehr On the is stored 19 January at the 1973Museum while of IraqBruyns, (close 1960), to theand Iranian in Musa border) Creek near in April to Khorramshahr 1958 (Mörzer in Naturaltaking off History from in Bandar Tehran. Lengeh On the airport 19 January Pilleri 1973 and while Gihr Bruyns,February 1960), 1954 (Mörzer-Bruyns, and in Musa Creek 1971; near Mörzer to Khorramshahr Bruyns, 1960). in taking(1973-74) off sighted from Bandar a scattered Lengeh group airport of dolphins Pilleri 200m and from Gihr FebruaryExamination 1954 of (Mörzer-Bruyns, published photographs 1971; Mörzer of a sighting Bruyns, reported 1960). (1973-74)the coast that sighted they a identified scattered as group probably of dolphinsTursiops 200msp. Given from Examinationas common dolphinsof published (Delphinus photographs delphis of a) sighting in Musa reported Creek, the coast distant that view they and identified possibility as probably of confusionTursiops withsp. Given other asKhuzestan common revealed dolphins they (Delphinus were clearly delphis Indo-Pacific) in Musa humpback Creek, thedolphin distant species view and this possibility sighting of should confusion betreated with other as Khuzestandolphins (Anon., revealed 1995a). they were In clearly 1992 seven Indo-Pacific individuals humpback were dolphinunconfirmed. species this sighting should be treated as dolphinsphoto-identified (Anon., in 1995a). coastal Iranian In 1992 waters seven of individuals either Khuzestan were unconfirmed.The majority of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin records photo-identifiedor Bushehr Province in coastal (Henningsen Iranian waters and Constantine, of either Khuzestan 1992). A inThe Iranian majority waters of occur Indo-Pacific around Qeshm bottlenose Island, dolphin particularly records of orsingle, Bushehr large, Province Indo-Pacific (Henningsen humpback and Constantine, dolphin was 1992). sighted A insmall Iranian groups waters in the occur narrow around channel Qeshm between Island, Hengam particularly Island of single,near Bushehr large, cityIndo-Pacific on 1 December humpback 2005 dolphin and a neonatewas sighted was smalland Qeshm groups Island. in theItnarrow is unclear channel if this between is a high Hengam density Island area nearstranded Bushehr in the city same on area 1 December in October 2005 2003. and Further a neonate south, was a andor if Qeshm frequent Island. sightings It is unclear are due if this to theis a highaccessible density ocean area strandedgroup of in Indo-Pacific the same area humpback in October dolphins 2003. was Further sighted south, near a orviewpoint if frequent nearby. sightings Indo-Pacific are due bottlenose to the accessible dolphins ocean have groupBahrekan of Indo-Pacific Bay in May 2003. humpback Etemad dolphins (1985) was cited sighted a report near by viewpointbeen sighted nearby. near to Indo-Pacific Larak Island, bottlenose along the southeast dolphins coast have BahrekanMurray, 1884, Bay thatin May humpback 2003. Etemad dolphins (1985) were found cited a at report Bandar- by beenof Qeshm sighted Island near (Pilleri to Larak and Island, Gihr, 1973-74), along the insoutheast the Straits coast of Murray,Lengeh port1884, in that Hormozgan. humpback The dolphins original were reference found at could Bandar- not ofHormoz Qeshm approximately Island (Pilleri 10 and n.miles Gihr, 1973-74), south of Qeshm in the Straits in water of Lengehbe traced port and in the Hormozgan. presence of The humpback original dolphins reference in could this area not Hormoz70m deep approximately and in the Straits 10 n.miles (unknown south of location) Qeshm in in water beis unconfirmed. traced and the presence of humpback dolphins in this area 70mapproximately deep and 75min the deep Straits (Weitkowitz, (unknown 1992).location) Two inwater Indo- is unconfirmed.In January 1973, Pilleri and Gihr circumnavigated Qeshm approximatelyPacific bottlenose 75m dolphin deep (Weitkowitz,skulls are stored 1992). in the Two GeoPark Indo- andIn Hormoz January 1973, Islands Pilleri and andreported Gihr atcircumnavigated least six sightings Qeshm of PacificMuseum bottlenose on Qeshm dolphin Island, skullsand a skull are stored from Qeshm in the GeoPark is stored andIndo-Pacific Hormoz humpback Islands and dolphin, reported three at north least of six Qeshm sightings Island of Museumin the Stuttgart on Qeshm Natural Island, History and a Museum, skull from Germany. Qeshm is stored Indo-Pacificand three south humpback and west dolphin, of Hormoz three Island north (Pilleri of Qeshm and Island Gihr, in the Stuttgart Natural History Museum, Germany. and three south and west of Hormoz Island (Pilleri and Gihr, 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 56

56 BRAULIK et al.: MARINE MAMMAL RECORDS FROM IRAN 1973-74). Reported group sizes were between 1 and 16 individuals and one of 4, were sighted about 1km from shore individuals and included sightings of calves and juveniles in waters less than 10m deep in northern Iran (Henningsen and observations of acrobatic behaviour. There were two and Constantine, 1992). sightings of humpback dolphins within the mangrove The majority of the finless porpoise records in Iran are of channels of Hara Protected Area on 29 January 2000 (Keijl stranded or incidentally captured animals from the vicinity and van der Have, 2002) and there have been recent sightings of Bushehr city. One porpoise was reported as bycatch in a south of Qeshm Island, south of Qeshm town, between gillnet near Bushehr in March 1998 (Anon., 1998). A second Qeshm and Bandar Abbas and near Hormoz Island (Table 1). individual, 115cm in length, was stranded on the western The skeleton of a humpback dolphin stranded near Bandar shores of Bushehr port on 27 November 2002 (Anon., Abbas in 1974 is deposited in the Zoological Museum at the 2003d). An aquarium shop in Bushehr city has a stuffed University of Tehran and the skull of a different individual is finless porpoise and the tail flukes of three other porpoises in the GeoPark Museum on Qeshm Island. on display. These animals were reportedly fisheries bycatch The records show that Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin and were purchased from fishermen. sightings occur throughout the year and the presence of In the Hara Protected Area on Qeshm Island, over a 30 calves in recorded sightings indicate that there is a breeding year period there have been repeated sightings of finless resident population in Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf. porpoise groups in virtually the same location within Given the affinity of this species for shallow estuarine water channels flowing between the mangroves (Table 1; Fig. 2b). a relatively large population could be expected in the In January 1973, Pilleri and Gihr (1973-74) recorded two shallow, low salinity waters near Iraq. There are relatively finless porpoises in the Protected Area. Two individuals few Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin records from this area, were seen on 24 January 2000 (Keijl and van der Have, probably due to the long-term instability and sensitivity of 2002) and during a survey conducted by two of the authors this border region restricting human access for surveys. on 6 December 2005 two groups were sighted, one of 4 individuals and the other a best estimate of 12 (high 16, low GULF OF OMAN 10) was recorded. Despite being a Protected Area, fishing There are two records of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in with gillnets still occurs and porpoises with signs of gillnet Iranian waters of the Gulf of Oman: a photograph of a single entanglement were stranded during 2004 and 2007 and a animal taken in 1995 just east of Jask, Hormozgan; and one porpoise was captured and released alive in January 2007 animal stranded between Jask and Chabahar in December (Table 1). Outside of the Protected Area, porpoises have 2008. Humpback dolphins have not been recorded in Omani been recorded along the north coast of Qeshm Island (Pilleri waters of the Gulf of Oman and there is thought to be an and Gihr, 1973-74). One individual was stranded on hiatus in distribution between those in the southern Persian Hengam Island in March 2007 and an animal measuring Gulf and those in the Arabian Sea (Baldwin et al., 2004). It 147cm in length was killed in a gillnet between Hormoz is not clear from the limited records whether there is a Island and Bandar Abbas in 1995 (Anon., 1995b). continuous distribution of humpback dolphins along the There are two areas of apparent porpoise concentration in Iranian coast to Pakistan. Iran, one north of Qeshm Island and the other at the head of the Persian Gulf. The only evidence that there may be a Finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) continuous distribution between these areas is a report of a Pilleri and Gihr (1972) showed the probable global sighting (unclear whether stranded or alive) in March 1995 geographic distribution of finless porpoises to include the at Bandar-e-Dayer in Bushehr Province (Anon., 1995b). entire coastline of Iran, however, until this present study there has been insufficient published data to substantiate GULF OF OMAN this. Finless porpoises in Iranian waters are the Indian There are only two records of finless porpoises from anywhere Ocean subspecies N. p. phocaenoides (Reeves et al., 1997). in the Gulf of Oman (excluding Pakistan) and these are both Throughout their range finless porpoises inhabit shallow from the Iranian coast. A stranded porpoise was found on 23 coastal waters, and inshore, partially enclosed, water bodies November 2007 east of Jask and there was one ‘almost certain’ (Reeves et al., 1997). For this study, 25 records of finless sighting in Chabahar, Iran in the winter of 1971 (Collins et al., porpoises were compiled; 23 were from the Persian Gulf and 2005; Roberts, 1977). Finless porpoises have been recorded 2 from the Gulf of Oman. These comprised 12 strandings, along the coast of Pakistan, including from Gwadar adjacent to 12 sightings and the skeletal remains of one individual. the Iranian border (Roberts, 1997) and it seems likely that they are distributed more widely along the Iran-Pakistan coast. PERSIAN GULF AA seasonal seasonal movement movement of of animals animals inshore inshore duringduring thethe winter The finless porpoise has been listed as an uncommon and offshore during the summer has been noted in several breeding resident in the Persian Gulf (De Boer et al., 2003). parts of this species’ range including Pakistan (Pilleri and In general it appears to be rare but widespread throughout the Gihr, 1972; Roberts, 1997) and Hong Kong (Jefferson and south and west of the Gulf (Anon., 1995b; Collins et al., Braulik, 1999). It is interesting to note that all records of 2005; Gallagher, 1991a; Preen, 2004; Robineau and Fiquet, finless porpoise in Iran, for which a date is available, were 1996). It has not been recorded further east than Jebel Ali, made during the winter, between November and March. It is Dubai in the UAE (Baldwin et al., 1998; Collins et al., 2005). unclear whether this is due to the extreme high summer In contrast, records suggest that finless porpoises are temperatures limiting fieldwork and speeding decomposition common in Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf. There are of strandings, or because seasonal inshore movement of several records from the northwest Persian Gulf in estuaries populations renders them more prone to bycatch and more in Khuzestan, Iran and in nearby Iraq; two porpoise groups accessible for sightings during the winter months. were sighted near the mouth of the Shatt al-Arab close to the A large proportion of Iranian finless porpoise records are of Iraq border (Al-Robaae, 1975) and porpoises have been stranded or bycaught animals which suggests that incidental recorded near Khorramshahr where they sometimes enter mortality in coastal fishing gear may be unsustainable the larger rivers and shallow water (Anon., 1998; 2003d; especially if, as the records indicate, the populations are small Etemad, 1985). Two groups of porpoises, one of 3 and localised. 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 57

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J. CETACEANCETACEAN RES. MANAGE. 11(1):49-11(1):51–65,­­63, 2010 2009 57 Long-beakedLong-beaked Commoncommon dolphin (Delphinus(DelphinusJ. CETACEAN capensis capensis RES. MANAGE.GULF11(1):51–65, OF OMAN OMAN 2009 57 tropicalis) D.c. tropicalis is widely distributed and abundant off the (Delphinus capensis GULF OF OMAN DelphinusLong-beaked delphis, Common D. dolphin capensis and D.c. tropicalis have Oman and UAE coast of the Gulf of Oman where they are tropicalis) oftenD.c. tropicalis seen in is mixed widely groups distributed with and spinner abundant dolphinsdolphins, off the, been reported in the region (Jefferson and Van Waerebeek, Oman and UAE coast of the Gulf of Oman where they are 2002;Delphinus Perrin, delphis, 2002). D.Most capensis recent authorsand D.c. have tropicalis attributedhave all sometimes in association with yellowfin yellowfin tuna, tuna, Thunnus been reported in the region (Jefferson and Van Waerebeek, albacaresoften seen (Baldwin in mixed et al al..,, groups 1999). Pilleri with and spinner Gihr (1973-74)(1973-74) dolphins, Delphinus sp. records in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf sometimes in association with yellowfin tuna, Thunnus 2002; Perrin, 2002). Most recent authors have attributed all reported three sightings of common dolphins in deep waterswaters to the very long-beaked form D.c. tropicalis and it is albacares (Baldwin et al., 1999). Pilleri and Gihr (1973-74) Delphinus sp. records in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf off the Iranian coast and there have been two strandings possible to clearly differentiate this subspecies in the field reported three sightings of common dolphins in deep waters (Ballanceto the very and long-beaked Pitman, 1998; form Robineau,D.c.tropicalis 1998; Robineauand it and is documented (Table 1). 1). possible to clearly differentiate this subspecies in the field off the Iranian coast and there have been two strandings Fiquet, 1996). All skulls examined in Iran were identified as documented (Table 1). D.c.(Ballance tropicalis and Pitman,based on 1998; very Robineau, high tooth 1998; counts. Robineau and Spinner dolphin (Stenella(Stenella longirostris) longirostris) Fiquet, 1996). All skulls examined in Iran were identified as Spinner dolphins are known to occur in both the Persian The common dolphin is the cetacean species cited most Spinner dolphins(Stenella are known longirostris) to occur in both the Persian D.c. tropicalis based on very high tooth counts. GulfSpinner and dolphin Gulf of Oman, and it is likely their range includes frequently by Iranian authors as occurring in Iranian waters GulfSpinner and dolphinsGulf of Oman, are known and it tois occurlikely intheir both range the includes Persian (Anon.,The common 1995a; Firouz, dolphin 2005; is the Harrington, cetacean species 1977; Humphrey cited most deeper waters of Iran. Van Waerebeek et al. (1999) (1999) frequently by Iranian authors as occurring in Iranian waters Gulf and Gulf of Oman, and it is likely their range includes and Kharom, 1995; Ziaie, 1996), however many of the concluded that spinner dolphins in the Gulf of Oman should (Anon., 1995a; Firouz, 2005; Harrington, 1977; Humphrey deeper waters of Iran. Van Waerebeek et al. (1999) records refer to mis-identified sightings or skeletal remains. be treated as a discrete population morphologically distinct and Kharom, 1995; Ziaie, 1996), however many of the concluded that spinner dolphins in the Gulf of Oman should There are just 10 positive records: 5 from the Persian Gulf from other other spinner spinner dolphin dolphin subspecies. subspecies. Spinner Spinner dolphins dolphins in records refer to mis-identified sightings or skeletal remains. be treated as a discrete population morphologically distinct and 5 from the Gulf of Oman. inOman Oman have have cranial cranial morphometrics morphometrics similar similar to to S.l.S.l. orientalis There are just 10 positive records: 5 from the Persian Gulf from other spinner dolphin subspecies. Spinner dolphins in from the east Pacific, but but external external features features quite quite different different and 5 from the Gulf of Oman. fromOman these. have cranial Two colour morphometrics morphs have similar been to S.l. described: orientalis a PERSIAN GULF fromfrom thethese. east Two Pacific, colour but morphs external have features been quite described: different a Long-beaked common dolphins have been frequently common tripartite pantropical form and another smaller, PERSIAN GULF atypicalfrom these. bipartite Two form colour which morphs is less have common. been described: a recorded in the south of the Persian Gulf, especially off the atypicalcommon bipartite tripartite form pantropical which is less form common. and another smaller, coastLong-beaked of Saudi commonArabia and dolphins UAE. During have surveys been frequently near Abu recorded in the south of the Persian Gulf, especially off the atypical bipartite form which is less common. Ali Island in Saudi Arabia, common dolphins were the most PERSIAN GULF frequentlycoast of Saudi encountered Arabia and species UAE. accounting During surveys for 75% near of Abu all Spinner dolphins are present, but relatively uncommon, in SpinnerPERSIAN dolphins GULF are present, but relatively uncommon, in individualsAli Island in sighted Saudi Arabia, (Robineau, common 1998; dolphins Robineau were and the Fiquet, most the Persian Gulf. Records are limited to several skulls found frequently encountered species accounting for 75% of all theSpinner Persian dolphins Gulf. Records are present, are limited but relatively to several uncommon, skulls found in 1996). Delphinus sp. were not sighted at all during on an island near Abu Dhabi, UAE and reports of sightings individuals sighted (Robineau, 1998; Robineau and Fiquet, nearthe Persian Dubai Gulf. (Baldwin Recordset al. are, 1998; limited Preen, to several 2004; skulls Robineau, found comprehensive aerial surveys of the entire southern Persian near Dubai (Baldwin et al., 1998; Preen, 2004; Robineau, 1996). Delphinus sp. were not sighted at all during 1998).on an island Mörzer near Bruyns Abu Dhabi, (1971) UAE observed and reports concentrations of sightings of Gulf coastline and it was suggested that they may be more 1998). Mörzer Bruyns (1971) observed concentrations of comprehensive aerial surveys of the entire southern Persian thousandsnear Dubai either (Baldwin side ofet al.the, Straits 1998; Preen, of Hormoz. 2004; It Robineau, is likely abundant closer to the Iranian coast where water is deeper thousands either side of the Straits of Hormoz. It is likely Gulf coastline and it was suggested that they may be more that1998). spinner Mörzer dolphins Bruyns occur (1971) in deeper observed waters concentrations of the Iranian of (Preen, 2004). that spinner dolphins occur in deeper waters of the Iranian abundant closer to the Iranian coast where water is deeper Persianthousands Gulf either although side of there the Straits are no of confirmed Hormoz. Itrecords is likely at In Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf, one group of 12 Persianthat spinner Gulf dolphins although occur there in are deeper no confirmed waters of the records Iranian at common(Preen, 2004). dolphins were recorded in offshore waters in the present. In Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf, one group of 12 present.Persian Gulf although there are no confirmed records at northwest (Henningsen and Constantine, 1992). No specific present. locationcommon for dolphins this sighting were recorded was given, in offshore but the waters survey in track the GULF OF OMAN GULF OF OMAN indicatesnorthwest that (Henningsen the sighting and must Constantine, have been 1992). SSW No of specific either The spinner dolphin is abundant in Oman, where groups of TheGULF spinner OF OMAN dolphin is abundant in Oman, where groups of Bushehrlocation for city, this or sighting Ganaveh. was A given, young but bycaught the survey animal track more than 1,500 have been seen (Van Waerebeek et al., moreThe spinner than 1,500 dolphin have is abundant been seen in (Van Oman, Waerebeek where groups et al of., strandedindicates near that the Bushehr sighting city must in November have been 2007, SSW ofand either two 1999). They often occur in mixed groups with Delphinus 1999).more thanThey 1,500 often have occur been in mixed seen (Van groups Waerebeek with Delphinuset al., animals,Bushehr a city, 203cm or male Ganaveh. (Fig. A3) and young 186cm bycaught female, animal were sp., occasionally with Pantropical spotted dolphins (S. sp.,1999). occasionally They often with occur pantropical in mixed groups spotted with dolphinsDelphinus (S. bycaughtstranded near Ameri, Bushehr Bushehr city in in November February 2008 2007, (Table and two 1). attenuata) and associate with yellowfin tuna (Baldwin et al., animals, a 203cm male (Fig. 3) and 186cm female, were attenuata1998;sp., occasionally Collins) and etassociate al. with, 2002). with Pantropical A yellowfin spinner spotteddolphin tuna (Baldwin was dolphins stranded et al (S.., A D.c. tropicalis skull is stored at the GeoPark Museum on attenuata) and associate with yellowfin tuna (Baldwin et al., Qeshmbycaught Island. near Ameri, Bushehr in February 2008 (Table 1). 1998;50m fromCollins Chabahar et al., 2002). fishing A port spinner in December dolphin was 2005 stranded and a A D.c. tropicalis skull is stored at the GeoPark Museum on 50mgroup1998; from Collinswas Chabaharvideoedet al., 10 2002). fishing n.miles A spinner southwestport in dolphin ofDecember Gwadar was stranded on2005 the and a Qeshm Island. groupPakistan-Iran50m fromwas videoed Chabahar border. 10 fishing Largen.miles portgroups southwest in December of smallof Gwadar unidentified 2005 on and the a Pakistan-Irandolphinsgroup was are videoed regularly border. 10 Large observed n.miles groups southwest off the of coast small of Gwadar of unidentified Sistan on and the dolphinsBaluchistanPakistan-Iran are andregularly border. it is possible Largeobserved groups that off thesethe of coast small may of be unidentified Sistan groups and of Baluchistanspinnerdolphins dolphins. are and regularly it Onis possible the observed 20 September that off these the coast 2007,may ofbe the Sistangroups partially and of spinnerdecomposedBaluchistan dolphins. and carcasses itOn is possiblethe of 7920 spinnerSeptember that these dolphins 2007, may were bethe groups strandedpartially of decomposedalongspinner 13km dolphins. carcasses of coast, On the 125kmof 79 20 spinner September east of dolphins Jask. 2007, A were retrospective the stranded partially alonginvestigationdecomposed 13km ofcarcasses concluded coast, 125km of that 79 spinner the east most of dolphins Jask.likely A cause were retrospective strandedof death investigationwasalong fishing 13km activities ofconcluded coast, (Braulik 125km that theet east al.most, of In Jask.likely press). Acause It retrospective is probableof death wasthatinvestigation fishing spinner dolphinsactivities concluded (Braulik are that common the et al most., offIn likelypress). the Iranian cause It is probable coastof death of thatthewas spinnerfishing Gulf of activities dolphins Oman (Braulik are and common mayet al. be , off In represented press). the Iranian It is probable coast by the of themorphologicallythat spinnerGulf of dolphins Oman distinct are and Oman common may form. be off represented the Iranian coast by the of morphologicallythe Gulf of Oman distinct and Oman may form. be represented by the morphologically distinct Oman form. Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris)/long-beaked Spinner dolphin (Stenella(D.c. tropicalis) longirostris)/long-beaked common dolphin(Stenella longirostris)records commonFourSpinner dolphin dolphindolphin records (D.c. tropicalis) were identified records/long-beaked as either spinner (D.c. tropicalis) Fourdolphinscommon dolphin dolphin or long-beaked records were common identifiedrecords dolphins as (Table either 1) butspinner Four dolphin records were identified as either spinner dolphinsidentification or long-beaked could not be common further refined dolphins based (Table on available 1) but dolphins or long-beaked common dolphins (Table 1) but identificationevidence (photographs could not be of further badly refined decomposed based on animals). available identification could not be further refined based on available evidenceThere are (photographs two records of of badly spinner decomposed dolphin/long-beaked animals). evidence (photographs of badly decomposed animals). Fig. 3. Long-beaked common dolphin, D. c. tropicalis, stranded near Therecommon are dolphin two strandingsrecords of near spinner to Chabahar, dolphin/long-beaked one stranding Bushehr. The extremely long rostrum, high tooth count, flipper to fromThere the are south two of records Qeshm Island of spinner and a stuffed dolphin animal/long-beaked in the commoncommon dolphin dolphin strandings near to Chabahar, one stranding Fig.jaw 3. stripe Long-beaked Long-beaked and hourglass common pattern dolphin, on the D. D. flanks c. tropicalis, tropicalis,tropicalis are diagnostic., stranded stranded Photo: near fromGeoPark the southMuseum of Qeshm on Qeshm Island Island and a(that stuffed has animal not been in courtesyBushehr. Fatemeh The extremely Mohsenizadeh. long rostrum, high tooth count, flipper to examinedfrom the south in detail). of Qeshm Island and a stuffed animal in the jaw stripe and hourglass pattern on the flanks are diagnostic. Photo: theGeoPark GeoPark Museum Museum on on Qeshm Qeshm Island Island (that (that hashas notnot been courtesy Fatemeh Mohsenizadeh. examinedexamined in in detail). detail). 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 58 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 58

58 BRAULIK et al.: MARINE MAMMAL RECORDS FROM IRAN 58 BRAULIK et al.: MARINE MAMMAL RECORDS FROM IRAN (Stenella coeruleoalba) StripedStriped dolphins dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) StripedStriped dolphins dolphins are are rare rare in in the the Gulf Gulf of of Oman Oman and and have have nevernever been been recorded recorded in in the the Persian Persian Gulf Gulf (Alling, (Alling, 1986; 1986; BaldwinBaldwin etet al. al.,, 1999; 1999; Ballance Ballance and and Pitman, Pitman, 1998). 1998). There There waswas a a live live mass mass stranding stranding of of 73 73 striped striped dolphins dolphins on on 24 24 OctoberOctober 2007, 2007, 60km 60km west west of of Jask. Jask. The The stranded stranded group group appearedappeared to to have have become become trapped trapped in in an an estuarine estuarine area area with with complexcomplex sandbanks sandbanks and and shallows. shallows. What What caused caused this this locally locally uncommon,uncommon, pelagic pelagic species species to to enter enter such such atypical atypical habitat habitat couldcould not not be be determined determined (Braulik (Brauliketet al. al.,, In In press). press). A A striped striped dolphindolphin skull skull from from a a different different stranding stranding (reported (reported to to be be in in thethe same same vicinity), vicinity), is is in in the the DoE DoE office office in in Jask. Jask. (Steno bredanensis) Rough-toothedRough-toothed dolphin dolphin (Steno bredanensis) TheThe complete complete skull skull of of a a mature mature rough-toothed rough-toothed dolphin dolphin is is Fig. 5. Stranded Risso’s dolphin, close to Chabahar. This species is storedstored at at the the IFRO IFRO office office in in Chabahar Chabahar (Fig. (Fig. 4). 4). This This is is the the Fig. 5. Stranded Risso’s dolphin, close to Chabahar. This species is stored at the IFRO office in Chabahar (Fig. 4). This is the identified based on the white patch on the chest, white lips, blunt first, and only, record of this species in Iran. This species has identified based on the white patch on the chest, white lips, blunt first, and only, record of this species in Iran. This species has head, dark colouration with white scarring and tall falcate dorsal fin. head, dark colouration with white scarring and tall falcate dorsal fin. notnot been been recorded recorded in in Pakistan Pakistan but but it it has has been been recorded recorded (both (both Photo: courtesy Teymour Aminrad not been recorded in Pakistan but it has been recorded (both Photo: courtesy Teymour Aminrad. sightingssightings and and strandings) strandings) a a a hand-full hand-full hand-ful of of of times times times in in in Omani Omani waterswaters of of the the Gulf Gulf of of Oman Oman (Ballance (Ballance and and Pitman, Pitman, 1998; 1998; VanVan Waerebeek Waerebeek etet al. al.,, 1999; 1999; Oman Oman Whale Whale and and Dolphin Dolphin species means that reports of sighted melon-headed whales Research Group, unpublished data). There is no evidence of species means that reports of sighted melon-headed whales Research Group, unpublished data). There is no evidence of alongalong the the Makran Makran Coast Coast and and Indus Indus Delta Delta in in Pakistan Pakistan rough-toothedrough-toothed dolphin dolphin occurrence occurrence in in the the Persian Persian Gulf Gulf and and it it (Roberts, 1997) should be treated as unconfirmed. Melon- is unlikely that this is suitable habitat for this deep water (Roberts, 1997) should be treated as unconfirmed. Melon- is unlikely that this is suitable habitat for this deep water headedheaded whales whales have have not not been been recorded recorded in in Iran. Iran. speciesspecies (Robineau, (Robineau, 1998). 1998). (Pseudorca crassidens) FalseFalse killer killer whale whale (Pseudorca crassidens) TheThe false false killer killer whale whale is is believed believed to to be be relatively relatively abundant abundant inin pelagic pelagic equatorial equatorial regions regions of of the the Indian Indian Ocean Ocean (Leatherwood(Leatherwoodetet al. al.,, 1991) 1991) and and it it is is uncommonly uncommonly reported reported in in waterswaters of of both both the the Persian Persian Gulf Gulf and and Gulf Gulf of of Oman Oman (Al- (Al- Robaae,Robaae, 1971b; 1971b; Baldwin Baldwinetet al. al.,, 1998; 1998; Baldwin Baldwinetet al. al.,, 1999; 1999; Mörzer-Bruyns,Mörzer-Bruyns, 1971; 1971; Mörzer Mörzer Bruyns, Bruyns, 1969; 1969; Robineau, Robineau, 1998;1998; Weitkowitz, Weitkowitz, 1992). 1992). The The presence presence of of false false killer killer whales whales inin the the Persian Persian Gulf Gulf of of Iran Iran is is confirmed confirmed by by the the presence presence of of a a skullskull found found on on Qeshm Qeshm Island Island now now stored stored at at the the Zoological Zoological MuseumMuseum at at the the University University of of Tehran Tehran and and a a skull skull found found on on KishKish Island Island stored stored with with a a local local resident. resident. Mörzer-Bruyns Mörzer-Bruyns (1971)(1971) reported reported observing observing immature immature false false killer killer whales whales in in FebruaryFebruary in in the the Persian Persian Gulf Gulf in in water water 36-47m 36-47m deep. deep. Fig. 4. Skull of rough-toothed dolphin, stored in the IFRO museum in February in the Persian Gulf in water 36-47m deep. Fig. 4. Skull of rough-toothed dolphin, stored in the IFRO museum in Records suggest that the false killer whale is a breeding Chabahar. The skull was identified based on the large orbit, number Records suggest that the false killer whale is a breeding Chabahar. The skull was identified based on the large orbit, number of teeth and the ridge at the ventral side of the frontals. residentresident in in the the Gulf Gulf of of Oman Oman (Baldwin (Baldwin etet al. al.,, 1999; 1999; of teeth and the ridge at the ventral side of the frontals. resident in the Gulf of Oman (Baldwin et al., 1999; LeatherwoodLeatherwood etet al. al.,, 1991). 1991). A A sighting sighting reported reported by by LeatherwoodLeatherwoodetet al. al.(1991)(1991) at at 25.85ºN 25.85ºN 59.85ºE 59.85ºE is is incorrectly incorrectly locatedlocated 30 30 miles miles inland inland in in Iran, Iran, however however the the sighting sighting itself itself Risso’s dolphin (Grampus(Grampus griseus) griseus) Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) maymay still still be be valid. valid. One One false false killer killer whale whale skull skull stored stored at at IFRO IFRO Risso’sRisso’s dolphin dolphin is is a a pelagic pelagic species species that that is is relatively relatively in Chabahar (Fig. 6), and collected from the nearby coast, common seaward of the continental shelf in the northern in Chabahar (Fig. 6), and collected from the nearby coast, common seaward of the continental shelf in the northern suggestsuggest it it is is present present in in Iranian Iranian waters waters of of the the Gulf Gulf of of Oman. Oman. IndianIndian Ocean, Ocean, including including the the Gulf Gulf of of Oman Oman and and Arabian Arabian Sea Sea (Baldwin(Baldwin etet al. al.,, 1998; 1998; Kruse Kruse etet al. al.,, 1991). 1991). Most Most Iranian Iranian authorsauthors list list Risso’s Risso’s dolphin dolphin as as present present in in Iran Iran (Darrehshori (Darrehshorietet al.al.,, 1996; 1996; Firouz, Firouz, 2005; 2005; Ziaie, Ziaie, 1996), 1996), though though no no details details are are provided.provided. Risso’s Risso’s dolphins dolphins are are common common in in Omani Omani waters waters of of thethe Gulf Gulf of of Oman Oman (Baldwin (Baldwin etet al. al.,, 1998; 1998; Ballance Ballance and and Pitman,Pitman, 1998; 1998; Gallagher, Gallagher, 1991a; 1991a; Kruse Kruseetet al. al.,, 1991) 1991) and and are are probablyprobably relatively relatively common common in in Iranian Iranian waters. waters. There There are are twotwo stranding stranding records records of of this this species, species, one one near near to to Chabahar Chabahar (see(see Fig. Fig. 5) 5) and and one one east east of of Jask Jask (Table (Table 1; 1; Fig. Fig. 2c). 2c). The The shallowshallow water water of of the the Persian Persian Gulf Gulf is is unlikely unlikely to to be be suitable suitable habitathabitat for for Risso’s Risso’s dolphins dolphins and and its its presence presence there there is is unconfirmedunconfirmed and and considered considered unlikely. unlikely. (Peponocephala electra) Melon-headedMelon-headed whale whale (Peponocephala electra) KnowledgeKnowledge of of this this species species in in the the northwest northwest Indian Indian Ocean Ocean is is veryvery limited limited and and although although there there is is a a well well documented documented record record from Hallaniyah, Oman, there are no confirmed sightings in from Hallaniyah, Oman, there are no confirmed sightings in Fig. 6. Skull of a false killer whale. Nine round tooth sockets arranged the Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman (Baldwin et al., 1999; Van Fig. 6. Skull of a false killer whale. Nine round tooth sockets arranged the Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman (Baldwin et al., 1999; Van along full length of rostrum, wide premaxilla bones and deep along full length of rostrum, wide premaxilla bones and deep WaerebeekWaerebeek etet al. al.,, 1999). 1999). The The ease ease of of confusion confusion with with other other antorbital notches aided the identification of this specimen. Waerebeek et al., 1999). The ease of confusion with other antorbital notches aided the identification of this specimen. 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 59

J. CETACEANCETACEAN RES. MANAGE. 11(1):49-11(1):51–65,­­63, 2010 2009 59 Killer whale (Orcinus(Orcinus orca) orca) FinFin whale whale (Balaenoptera(Balaenoptera physalus) physalus) The geographic location of six killer whales reportedly seen in ThereThere are several published but unconfirmed fin fin whale whale the Persian Gulf Gulf corresponds corresponds to approximately 38km inland of strandingsstrandings and and sightings sightings from from the Persian Gulf Gulf (Al-Robaae, (Al-Robaae, Bandar Abbas, Iran (Leatherwood et al al..,, 1991) and and therefore therefore 1982;1982; Baldwin Baldwin etet al al..,, 1999; 1999; de de Silva, Silva, 1987; 1987; Robineau, Robineau, occurrence ofof this species in Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf 1998).1998). Firouz (2005) (2005) reported that fin whales whales are are is unsubstantiated. There have been been numerous numerous killer whale occasionallyoccasionally seen seen near near Bandar Bandar Abbas Abbas and and Qeshm Island in sightings in Oman (Baldwin et al.al.,, 1999, Oman Whale and Iran,Iran, however however large large pods pods of of as as many many as as 100 100 individuals Dolphin Research Group, unpublished data); and and in the reportedreported in in Iranian Iranian waters by by Humphrey Humphrey and and Kharom Kharom (1995) (1995) Persian Gulf off UAE (Baldwin (Baldwin,, pers. comm.) and although seemseem unlikely. unlikely. There There is is one one unconfirmed unconfirmed IranianIranian recordrecord ofof this species has not been recorded in Iranian waters of the Gulf thisthis species; species; a a fin fin whale whale measuring measuring 19m 19m in in length length was was of Oman it may be anan uncommonuncommon visitor.visitor. strandedstranded 30km 30km south south of of Bandar Bandar Abbas Abbas in in April April 1971 1971 (Baloutch,(Baloutch, 1972). 1972). The The skeleton skeleton is is now displayed displayed in in the the Sperm whale (Physeter(Physeter macrocephalus) macrocephalus) ZoologicalZoological Museum Museum of the University of Tehran. All All the Sperm whales have not been recorded and are not expected aboveabove records records are are unconfirmed unconfirmed and and Baldwin Baldwin (2003) (2003) was was to occur in the Persian Gulf. There are many records of unableunable to to find any any substantiated substantiated evidence evidence of fin of whale fin whale sperm whales in deep water in the Gulf of Oman where they occurrenceoccurrence in the Arabian region and suggests that they are are resident (Alling, 1986; Baldwin et al.al.,, 1999; Ballance unlikelyunlikely to to occur. occur. and Pitman, 1998; Gallagher, 1991b; Gore et al.al.,, 2007).2007). The first sperm whale record for Iran was a stranding in June (Balaenoptera edeni) first sperm whale record for Iran was a stranding inJune Bryde’sBryde’s whale whale (Balaenoptera edeni) andand Omura’s Omura’s whale whale 2007 near to Jask. (Balaenoptera omurai) (BalaenopteraThe identity andomurai) number of species of Bryde’s whales The identity and number of species of Bryde’s whales Other odontocetes worldwide is currently uncertain (Perrin and Brownell, Other odontocetes that have been recorded in the region and worldwide2007). A new is currently species, Omura’s uncertain whale (Perrin (B. and omurai Brownell,) was Other odontocetes that have been recorded in the region and 2007). A new species, Omura’s whale (B. omurai) was may occur in Iranian waters are the pantropical spotted described in 2003 (Wada et al., 2003) and there is believed dolphin (Stenella attenuata), pygmy killer whale (Feresa describedto be a smaller in 2003 inshore (Wada form et al of., Bryde’s2003) and whale there from is believed Asia (B. dolphin (Stenella attenuata), pygmy killer whale (Feresa to be a smaller inshore form of Bryde’s whale from Asia attenuata), dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima), pilot whale edeni) and a ‘normal’ larger offshore form (B. brydei) as (Globicephala macrorynchus) and Cuvier’s beaked whale (wellB. edeni as the) and possibility a ‘normal’ of otherlarger intermediate offshore form forms (B. brydei (Ballance) as (Globicephala macrorynchus) and Cuvier’s beaked whale well as the possibility of other intermediate forms (Ballance (Ziphius cavirostris) (Alling, 1986; Baldwin et al.al.,, 1999; et al., 2001; Perrin et al., 2007; Rice, 1998). Perrin and Ballance and Pitman, 1998; Gallagher, 1991b; Harwood, etBrownell al., 2001; (2007) Perrin recommended et al., 2007; Rice,that B. 1998). edeni Perrinbe used and Ballance and Pitman, 1998; Gallagher, 1991b; Harwood, Brownell (2007) recommended that B. edeni be used 1980). provisionally for the Bryde’s whale complex until the provisionallytaxonomy of for the the group Bryde’s is resolved. whale Bryde’s complex whales until the are taxonomyprobably relatively of the group common is resolved.in Iranian Bryde’swaters although whales it are is Mysticetes Reports of baleen whale sightings in Iran are rare and there probablyunclear at relatively present whichcommon form in orIranian forms waters are represented. although it is Reports of baleen whale sightings in Iran are rare and there is no quantitative information on their distribution or unclearTen records at present of Bryde’swhich form whales or forms in Iranianare represented. waters were is no quantitative information on their distribution or abundance. It was reported by Daanehkaar (1998) that compiled:Ten records 5 skeletal of Bryde’s remains whales and 5 strandings. in Iranian Nine waters records were abundance. It was reported by Daanehkaar (1998) that whales can be observed near to the Iranian coastline at compiled:are from the 5 skeletal Persian remains Gulf and and there 5 strandings. is a single Nine record records from whales can be observed near to the Iranian coastline at Nayband Bay and Bandar Lengeh harbour where there is areIranian from waters the Persian of the Gulf Gulf and of Oman. there is a single record from Nayband Bay and Bandar Lengeh harbour where there is deep water close to the land and whales are apparently also IranianPersian waters Gulf: of the There Gulf areof Oman. multiple records of Bryde’s deepinfrequently water close seen to in the waters land offand Bandarwhales Abbasare apparently and Qeshm also whales from the Persian Gulf and this species is the most infrequently seen in waters off Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Persian Gulf: There are multiple records of Bryde’s Island (Firouz, 2005). whalescommon from mysticete the Persian in the areaGulf (Al-Robaae,and this species 1969; is Baldwin the mostet IslandTwenty-six (Firouz, baleen2005). whale records were compiled, 9 from al., 1999; Robineau, 1998; Robineau and Fiquet, 1996). The Twenty-six baleen whale records were compiled, 9 from common mysticete in the area (Al-Robaae, 1969; Baldwin Bushehr Province in the northwest of the Persian Gulf, 12 etremains al., 1999; of Robineau, a Bryde’s whale1998; Robineau were found and on Fiquet, the southern 1996). The tip Bushehrfrom Hormozgan Province in and the Qeshm northwest Island, of the 4 fromPersian Sistan Gulf, and 12 of Qeshm Island in 1973; the atlas and three vertebrae are from Hormozgan and Qeshm Island, 4 from Sistan and remains of a Bryde’s whale were found on the southern tip Baluchistan and 1 of unknown origin. There are 13 records ofnow Qeshm stored Island in the in Stuttgart 1973; the Museum atlas and (Pilleri three and vertebrae Gihr, 1973- are Baluchistanof skeletal material, and 1 of 12 unknown strandings origin. and videoThere of are one 13 sighting. records 74). The skull of a young Bryde’s whale found on the south of skeletal material, 12 strandings and video of one sighting. now stored in the Stuttgart Museum (Pilleri and Gihr, 1973- In some cases it was not possible to obtain a definite species 74).coast The of skull Qeshm of a Islandyoung Bryde’s in spring whale 2006 found and on a the skeleton south Inidentification some cases it from was not photographs possible to ofobtain strandings a definite or species from tentatively identified as a Bryde’s whale are both stored at identification from photographs of strandings or from coast of Qeshm Island in spring 2006 and a skeleton examination of bones. If identification was not possible tentativelythe GeoPark identified Museum as on a QeshmBryde’s Island. whale Inare 2004 both a stored Bryde’s at examinationrecords have of been bones. included If identification as Balaenoptera was sp.not or possible the whale carcass found floating between Qeshm and Hormoz the GeoPark Museum on Qeshm Island. In 2004 a Bryde’s recordsidentification have was been treated included as tentativeas Balaenoptera (Table 1), sp. pending or the Islands was towed to Hormoz Island where the skeleton is whale carcass found floating between Qeshm and Hormoz identificationconfirmation using was moleculartreated as analysis tentative of bone (Table or 1), tissue pending now preserved by the Environmental Protection Authority. Islands was towed to Hormoz Island where the skeleton is confirmationsamples. using molecular analysis of bone or tissue In 2007 there were four Bryde’s whale strandings in Iranian samples. nowwaters preserved of the Persian by the GulfEnvironmental (Table 1). Protection Authority. In 2007 there were four Bryde’s whale strandings in Iranian Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) Gulf of Oman: A skeleton identified as a Bryde’s whale is Blue whale whales (Balaenoptera are reported bymusculus) Iranian authors to occur in Iran watersat the of IFRO the Persian office Gulf in Chabahar. (Table 1). It is believed to have Blue(Etemad, whales 1985; are Harrington,reported by 1977;Iranian Humphrey authors to andoccur Kharom, in Iran strandedGulf of on Oman: the nearby A skeleton coast andidentified confirms as thea Bryde’s presence whale of (Etemad,1995; Ziaie, 1985; 1996), Harrington, however, 1977; no supporting Humphrey data and are providedKharom, isthis at species the IFRO in Iranian office waters in ofChabahar. the Gulf It of is Oman. believed to have 1995;and no Ziaie, evidence 1996), for however, the occurrence no supporting of this data species are provided Iran has stranded on the nearby coast and confirms the presence of andbeen no found evidence in this for study.the occurrence Given its of shallow this species nature in (<100mIran has thisSei whalespecies(Balaenoptera in Iranian waters borealis) of the Gulf of Oman. beendeep) found Iranian in watersthis study. of the Given Persian its shallow Gulf are nature unlikely (<100m to be The occurrence of sei whales in the Arabian region is deep)frequented Iranian by bluewaters whales of the and Persian there isGulf only are one unlikely unconfirmed to be Seiuncertain whale (Balaenoptera and their identification borealis) may be confused with frequentedrecord from by elsewhere blue whales in theand Gulf; there ais stranding only one inunconfirmed Kuwait in TheBryde’s occurrence whales. There of sei are whales unconfirmed in the sightings Arabian in region the Gulf is record1963 (Al-Robaae,from elsewhere 1971a; in the Robineau, Gulf; a stranding 1998). Bluein Kuwait whales in uncertainof Oman (Baldwin and theiret identification al., 1999) but a reviewmay be of recordsconfused led with 1963have been (Al-Robaae, sighted on 1971a; several Robineau, occasions 1998). in the Blue Sultanate whales of Bryde’sBaldwin whales. (2003) There to conclude are unconfirmed that their presence sightings in in Arabia the Gulf to haveOman been (Baldwin sightedet al.on, several 1999) andoccasions it is possible in the thatSultanate they also of ofbe Oman unlikely. (Baldwin There iset no al evidence., 1999) but of theira review occurrence of records in Iran. led Omanoccur in(Baldwin Iranian waterset al., 1999) of the and Gulf it ofis Oman.possible that they also Baldwin (2003) to conclude that their presence in Arabia occur in Iranian waters of the Gulf of Oman. be unlikely. There is no evidence of their occurrence in Iran. 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 60

60 BRAULIK et al.: MARINE MAMMAL RECORDS FROM IRAN Common minke whale (Balaenoptera(Balaenoptera acutorostrata) acutorostrata) singlesingle individual was seen briefly in in a a rather rather narrow narrow and and Minke whale sightings in the middle east were reported by muddy creek about 15m wide on 29 29 January January 2000. 2000. It surfaced surfaced Baldwin et al.al. (1999). (1999). However However a later re-examination of about 5m from the boat and then dived. When When it it surfaced surfaced the records led to the conclusion there areare nono confirmedconfirmed recordsrecords broad flattened snout snout was was seen, seen, and andwhen when it subsequently it subsequently of this species in the Arabian region (Baldwin, 2003). There dived the tailstock and V-shaped flukes were were seen seen very very is no evidence of of their their occurrence occurrence in in Iranian Iranian waters. waters. clearly’. Green (2000) also described a sighting of three dugongs in the Hara Protected Area onon 11 NovemberNovember 2000.2000. Humpback whale (Megaptera(Megaptera novaeangliae) novaeangliae) TheseThese records records show show that that dugong dugong have have occurred occurred in Iran, but Humpback whales are listed as occurring in Iran in almost itit is is unclear unclear whether whether these these individuals individuals indicate indicate the the presence presence all national mammal reviews and checklists (Etemad,(Etemad, 1985; of a resident population in Iranian waters or whether they Firouz, 2005; Harrington, 1977; Humphrey and Kharom, were vagrants vagrants that that dispersed from the southern Persian Gulf 1995; Ziaie, Ziaie, 1996), 1996), but but these these records records appear appear to tobe bebased based on population. In In AustraliaAustralia dugongs dugongs regularly regularly move move distances distances of manyon manyBalaenoptera Balaenopterasp. sp. skeletons skeletons that that have have been been mis- of40-100km 40-100km and and some some individuals individuals have have been been shown shown to identified asas humpbackhumpback whales.whales. ThereThere areare nono known known records records undertake long distance movements of at least 600km across of this species from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf but deep oceanic water, so dispersal 300km across the relatively there are two records from nearby Iraq (Al-Robaae, 1974;1974; shallowshallow Persian Persian Gulf Gulf is is quite quite feasible feasible (Marsh (Marsh etet al al..,, 2002). 2002). Gervais, 1883). A resident, non-migratory population of humpback whales THREATS FACING MARINE MAMMALS IN IRAN A resident, non-migratory population of humpback whales THREATS FACING MARINE MAMMALS IN IRAN occurs in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. Highly productive upwelling along the coast of Oman ensures IncidentalIncidental capture capture in in fishing fishing geargear productive upwelling along the coast of Oman ensures The largest threat to cetaceans in Iran is likely to be sufficient food food to allowto allow whales whales to remain to inremain the regionin the region The largest threat to cetaceans in Iran is likely to be throughout the year (Minton et al., In press; Papastavrou and incidentalincidental capture in fishing gear.gear. TheThe countrycountry hashas thethe largestlargest throughout the year (Minton et al., In press; Papastavrou and fishing fleet in the region and uses techniques such as fixed Van Waerebeek, 1997; Reeves et al al..,, 1991; Whitehead, 1985). fishing fleet in the region and uses techniques such as fixed The greatest recorded concentrations of animals are from and drift drift gillnets known to to cause cause mortality mortality of cetaceans The greatest recorded concentrations of animals are from elsewhere in the world (FAO, 2005; 2007; Gosliner, 1999; southern Oman, near to Masirah and the Halaniyat Islands, but elsewhere in the world (FAO, 2005; 2007; Gosliner, 1999; there are also records, primarily of young animals, from the JeffersonJefferson and Curry, 1994; Perrin et al al..,, 1994). There There are are nine nine there are also records, primarily of young animals, from the records of finless porpoise and three of common dolphin Gulf of Oman as far west as UAE (Baldwin et alal..,, 1999; records of finless porpoise and three of common dolphin Mikhalev, 1997; Minton et al., In press). In this study three incidentalincidental mortality in fishing gear gear in in Iran. Iran. The The nearshore nearshore Mikhalev, 1997; Minton et al., In press). In this study three distribution of finless porpoise places them in close definite records records of humpbackof humpback whales whales were compiled;were compiled; two two distribution of finless porpoise places them in close strandings and one sighting, all from the Sistan and proximity to intensively fished areasareas andand losseslosses areare likelylikely toto strandings and one sighting, all from the Sistan and have a greater impact on small and localised populations Baluchistan coastcoast inin the Gulf of Oman. A mother-calf pair was have a greater impact on small and localised populations recorded close to the Chabahar coast in September 2004, a which appear to occur along the Iranian coast. recorded close to the Chabahar coast in September 2004, a which appear to occur along the Iranian coast. humpback whale stranded near Pozm in October 2004 and humpback whale stranded near Pozm in October 2004 and another stranded near Chabahar in December 2003. These Shipping traffic another stranded near Chabahar in December 2003. These Shipping traffic individuals are presumably part of the Arabian Sea population. The Straits Straits of Hormoz Hormoz and Bandar Bandar Abbas region region include include individuals are presumably part of the Arabian Sea population. Surveys to evaluate the seasonal distribution and abundance of major shipping lanes and 30% of the world’s oil tankers pass Surveys to evaluate the seasonal distribution and abundance of humpback whales in Iran and subsequent comparison of throughthrough these areas annually (ROPME, 2003). In 2007, two humpback whales in Iran and subsequent comparison of identified individuals with those from Oman would be Bryde’s whales whales were were stranded stranded bearing bearing gashes gashes from from propellers. propellers. identified individuals with those from Oman would be valuable to understanding more about this resident population Although it is not not clear clear whether whether these these occurred occurred before or after whichvaluable is classifiedto understanding by the International more about this Union resident for Conservation population death, cetaceans in the shipping lanes and entrance to the ofwhich Nature is classified (IUCN) asby ‘endangered’the International (Minton Unionet for al. ,Conservation 2008). Persian Gulf are are undoubtedly undoubtedly at risk risk of of collision collision with vessels. vessels. of Nature (IUCN) as ‘endangered’ (Minton et al., 2008). Sirenia Oil pollution pollution Sirenia The continual input of oil into the marine environment from Dugong (Dugong dugon) Dugong (Dugong dugon) natural seepage and routine oil extraction and transportation The world’s second largest dugong population occurs in the activities (estimated at 1.2 1.2 million million barrels/year) barrels/year; (ROPME, ROPME, southern marginsmargins ofof thethe Persian Gulf in the coastal waters of 2003) could have a a chronic effect on marine mammal health. Bahrain, UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia (Marsh et al.al.,, 2002). There is also always a a risk risk of new catastrophic oil spills. In Abundance was estimated as 5,8405840 ± ± 903 903 and the largest most cases cetaceans would be expected to avoid a spill and aggregation ever recorded, numbering an estimated 674 thethe greatest greatest impact on them is likely to to be be indirect effects on animals, was found between Bahrain and Qatar in the winter prey availability, or or the the health effects of consuming prey of 1985/86 (Preen, 2004). Dugong typically inhabit shallow contaminated by by petroleum petroleum residues residues (Geraci (Geraci etet al al.., ,1999). 1999). tropical and subtropical waters waters with with a a mean sea surface temperature ofof 23ºC or greater and avoid prolonged exposure Chemical pollution pollution to water temperatures of of less than 18ºC. It was therefore The Shadegan Marshes Ramsar site located on the Iran-Iraq suggested that the temperature regime and bathymetry in Iran border at the head of the Persian Gulf has been placed on the (except for north Qeshm Island) would would be unsuitable to Montreux Record since 1993 due to chemical pollution from support significant numbersnumbers of of thisthis speciesspecies and and IranIran hashas notnot thethe Iran-Iraq Iran-Iraq war war (RAMSAR, (RAMSAR, 2009). 2009). Finless Finless porpoise porpoise and been recorded as a dugong range state (Marsh et al.al.,, 2002; humpback dolphins have been been sighted in this area and Preen, 2004). populations of these animals may have been impacted ThereThere have have been been anecdotal anecdotal reports reports of of dugong dugong sightings sightings in (either(either positively or or negatively) negatively) by by the the wars wars and and may may also also be Gwadarin Gwadar near near the the Pakistan Pakistan border border and and a a reported, reported, but affected by by the the chemical chemical pollution. pollution. unconfirmed, sightingsighting ofof twotwo individualsindividuals inin thethe MondMond RiverRiver estuary (approximately 100km south of Bushehr city) Harmful algal algal blooms blooms (Firouz, 2005). There have been two definite sightings sightings of of Harmful algal blooms (HABs), often associated with dugongs in the mangroves of the Hara Protected Area north of seasonalseasonal upwelling, occur occur frequently in the Persian Gulf and Qeshm Island. Keijl and van der Have (2002) reported that ‘a Gulf of Oman and have caused mass mortality of fish andand 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 61

J. CETACEANCETACEAN RES. MANAGE. 11(1):49-11(1):51–65,­­63, 2010 2009 61 other marine organisms. A HAB was tentatively linked to national reserve, it is an ideal location to study marine the mass mortality of at least 520 marine mammals in the mammal occurrence, distribution and abundance and to Persian Gulf in 1986 (Anon., 1994; 2003a; 2003b; 2003c; monitor and manage potential threats such as illegal fishing ROPME, 1986; Subba-Rao and Al-Yamani, 1998). with gillnets that cause porpoise mortality.

Coastal development In the UAE and other states along the south of the Persian ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Gulf extensive coastal development including construction In Iran, G. Braulik was welcomed by Dr. Nabavi and Omid of new islands for housing complexes and resorts, causeway Sedighi, Marine Bureau of the DoE, Tehran and by IFRO in construction and dredging have severely degraded the Tehran who also facilitated the field research in all the marine environment and caused loss of seagrass beds and coastal cities. Mr Dareshori, Qeshm Free Zone Authority, Dr fish spawning sites (Jameson et al., 1995). In the UAE, Reza Fatemi, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Dr Alireza demersal fish stocks have declined dramatically, in some Sari, University of Tehran, Dr Bahram Kiabi, Shahid instances to 5% of 1978 levels, due to a combination of Behesti University, Professor Esmail Kharom, Dr Hooshang overfishing and destruction of demersal fish spawning sites Ziaie and the IFRO and DoE staff in Bushehr, Bandar by extensive coastal development (FAO, 2003). At present Abbas, Qeshm Island and Chabahar, all extended help and the coastal regions of Iran are less developed than those of assistance. The Owfi family were fantastic hosts and did southern Persian Gulf states, however, several resort islands everything they could to help make the project a success. such as Kish (Fig. 2a) are developing rapidly. Unless there The work of Mohammad Dakhteh and Sharif Ranjbar on are controls placed on coastal development in Iran, it is Qeshm Island was facilitated by Ms Laleh Daraie, UNDP likely to proceed along similar unsustainable lines as states Global Environment Facility, Iran and funding for the such as the UAE potentially causing declines in fisheries project was provided by the Marine Conservation Action resources, degradation of marine habitats and negative Fund, New England Aquarium with support from the Whale impacts on marine mammals. and Dolphin Conservation Society, UK. The contribution of Thomas Jefferson, Bill Perrin, Robert Brownell Jr., Koen Van Waerebeek and Bill McLellan to species identification RECOMMENDATIONS is gratefully acknowledged. Valuable comments by Tim Establishment of a strandings network Collins, Robert Baldwin and Koen Van Waerebeek greatly Establishment of a network of individuals and organisations to strengthened the manuscript. survey the Iranian coastline for strandings and respond to reported strandings is a relatively low-cost but highly effective REFERENCES way to collect information on marine mammal species occurrence and threats. Training for volunteers will be Al-Robaae, K. 1969. Bryde’s whale on the coast of Iraq. Sonderdruck aus Z. f. Säugetier Bd. 34(2): 120-25. required and a central location designated to store information, Al-Robaae, K. 1970. First record of the speckled dolphin Sotalia to deposit specimens and arrange sample analysis, etc. lentiginosa Gray, 1866 in the Arabian Gulf. Säug. Mitteil. 18: 227-28. Al-Robaae, K. 1971a. Notes on a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) Marine mammal bycatch assessment skeleton in the Natural History Museum, Kuwait. 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Iranian Fisheries Research and mammals around Qeshm Island which records suggest is an Training Organisation Newsletter 6(Autumn 1994): 2. important area for finless porpoise and humpback dolphins; Anon. 1995a. Courtship of dolphins in Khor-e-Musa. Iranian Fisheries Research and Training Organisation Newsletter 9. (3) humpback whales off the coast of Sistan and Anon. 1998. Neophocaena phocaenoides in the Bushehr Province waters. Baluchistan; and (4) monitoring of pelagic dolphins in the Iranian Fisheries Research and Training Organisation Newsletter 21. Gulf of Oman where accidental capture in fishing gear may Anon. 2003a. Natosquilla sp. bloom in the western Indian Ocean. Iranian be significant. Fisheries Research and Training Organisation Newsletter 37(Autumn 2003): 2. Anon. 2003b. Red tide bloom in Sistan and Baluchistan Province coastal Study of marine mammals in the Hara Protected Area waters (Oman Sea). Iranian Fisheries Research and Training Three marine mammal species have been recorded in the Organisation Newsletter 37(Autumn 2003): 2. mangroves of the extensive Hara Protected Area on the Anon. 2003c. Bloom of jellyfish (Crambionela orsini) in the Oman Sea and north coast of Qeshm Island. Regular sightings of finless the Persian Gulf. Iranian Fisheries Research and Training Organisation Newsletter 35: 1. porpoise indicate that the Protected Area may be important Anon. 2003d. A report on observation of finless porpoise, Neophocaena habitat for this species. The only confirmed records of phocaenoides, in the Persian Gulf (Bushehr Province). Iranian Fisheries dugong in Iran also occurred here. As this is a high profile Research and Training Organisation Newsletter 35: 3. 049-063 JNL 420:Layout 1 29/12/09 14:20 Page 62

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