Species diversity and distribution pattern of marine mammals of the and Gulf of Oman - Iranian Waters

Item Type article

Authors Owfi, F.; Braulik, G.T.; Rabbaniha, M.

Download date 24/09/2021 07:38:40

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/37668 Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 15(2) 927- 944 2016

Species diversity and distribution pattern of marine mammals of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman - Iranian Waters

Owfi F. 1*, Braulik G. T.2, Rabbaniha M.1

Received: January 2014 Accepted: March 2015 Abstract A total of 98 marine mammal records from Iranian coastal waters of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman were compiled of which 66 are previously unpublished new records. Seventy- nine were from the Persian Gulf and 16 from the Gulf of Oman coast. The largest numbers of records were from Qeshm Island and Bushehr Provinces. Records of finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides), Indo-pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) and Indo- pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) were by far the most numerous probably reflecting their inshore distribution and local abundance. Other species recorded are common dolphin (Delphinus capensis tropicalis), rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), and dugong (Dugong dugon). Evidence of 22 Mysticetes were obtained eight of which were tentatively identified as Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni), three as fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and three as Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). The largest threat to marine mammals in is likely to be incidental capture in fishing gear. Six by caught finless porpoises were recorded and this species may be particularly vulnerable to incidental mortality in gillnets. Recommended marine mammal research, conservation and management small projects in Iran are described.

Downloaded from jifro.ir at 0:01 +0330 on Sunday February 25th 2018 Keywords: Marine mammals, Species diversity, Distribution patterns, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman.

1- Iranian Fisheries Sciences Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran. 2- Sea Mammal Research Department, University of St. Andrews, UK. * Corresponding author's Email: [email protected]

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Introduction established to provide technical The southern coast of the Islamic Republic coordination, and to assist with of Iran is approximately 3800km in length implementation of projects associated with (Owfi et al., 2008), bordered in the east by the convention. This organisation has Pakistan and the west by Iraq. The marine been very active undertaking regional environment is comprised of two very surveys and monitoring of most aspects of different habitats, in the west for the marine environment, but has not yet approximately 1050km Iran borders the addressed marine mammals (ROPME, Persian Gulf, a warm, hyper-saline, 2003). Environmental management and shallow and enclosed sea, while the conservation in Iran is the responsibility of eastern coastline (430km) forms the the Department of Environment (DoE) and northern margin of the Gulf of Oman, a fisheries management is under the relatively exposed and deep component of jurisdiction of the Iranian Fisheries the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean. The Science Research Institute (IFSRI). DoE Persian Gulf is connected to the Gulf of have traditionally had a terrestrial focus Oman by the Hormoz Strait, a channel and IFSRI have targeted management of approximately 50km wide and 100m deep marine and freshwater fisheries. at its narrowest point. Qeshm Island, 120 Conservation of the marine environment km long and up to 30 km wide, is the including marine mammals has received largest island in the Persian Gulf and is comparatively little attention from either separated from the Iranian coast by the organisation. (Owfi, 2014). narrow Khuran Strait. There are 12 marine or coastal protected areas along the southern coast of Iran, all Management of the marine environment of them established in delta and mangrove Regional cooperation in conservation of ecosystems or to protect coral reefs. From

Downloaded from jifro.ir at 0:01 +0330 on Sunday February 25th 2018 the Persian Gulf began when the Kuwait east to west by Province these are: Convention came into force in 1979. This Khuzestan: 1. Shadegan marshland and convention, signed by all Border States lagoon, 2. Al Amaya mudflats and creek, included the Action Plan for the Protection and 3. Khor-e-Musa, jointly a Ramsar site. and Development of the Marine Bushehr: 4. Khark and Kharku Islands. Environment and Coastal Areas, the Hormozgan: 5. Nayband Bay. 6. Shidvar Kuwait Regional Convention for Island, a Ramsar site, 7 and 8. Khuran Cooperation on the Protection of the Straits and Laft & Khamir mangrove Marine Environment from Pollution and creeks, jointly the Hara Protected Area, a the Protocol concerning Regional Ramsar site and Biosphere Reserve, 9. Cooperation in Combating Pollution by Shur, Shirin and Mindab River deltas, a Oil and other Harmful Substances in Cases Ramsar site, 10. Gaz and Hara River of Emergency (Owfi and Rabbaniha, deltas, a Ramsar site. Sistan-e- 2001). Pursuant to the convention the Baluchistan: 11 and 12. Govater Bay and Regional Organisation for the Protection Bahu Kalat creek, jointly a Ramsar site ( of the Marine Environment (ROPME) was World Conservation Monitoring Center, Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 15(2) 2016 929

1991;Owfi, 2005). The Hara Protected consuming prey contaminated by Area is probably of greatest significance to petroleum residues (Geraci et al., 1999). marine mammals as finless porpoise, The Shadegan Marshes Ramsar site in humpback dolphins and dugong have been Khuzestan Province at the head of the sighted in the channels within the Persian Gulf has been placed on the mangroves. The site is also an important Montreux Record due to chemical site for water birds and is the largest stand pollution from the Iran-Iraq war. Finless of mangroves in the Persian Gulf. porpoise and humpback dolphins have Management of the reserve is relatively been sighted near to this area and weak and cutting of mangroves and gillnet populations of these animals were likely fishing still occur (Owfi, 2005). impacted by the war and may be affected by the chemical pollution. The effect of Threats to marine mammals in Iran pollution in the Persian Gulf is Marine mammal surveys conducted off the compounded by its enclosed nature and coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) low flushing rate. Harmful algal blooms in the Persian Gulf recorded a dramatic occur frequently in the Persian Gulf and 71% decline in cetacean abundance Gulf of Oman and have been associated between 1986 and 1999 (Preen, 2004). with mass mortality of fish, marine Two major mortality events occurred mammals and other marine organisms between the two surveys. In 1986, 520 (ROPME, 1986; Anon., 1994; Subba-Rao cetaceans died, most located in Qatar and and Al-Yamani, 1998;Anon., 2003a; Saudi Arabia (including 6 from Bushehr, Anon., 2003b). Iran). Cause of death was tentatively At present the coastal regions of Iran linked to a red tide event (ROPME, 1986; are less developed than those of southern Subba-Rao and Al-Yamani, 1998; Baldwin part of the Persian Gulf states, however

Downloaded from jifro.ir at 0:01 +0330 on Sunday February 25th 2018 et al., 1999). In 1991 the death of 71 several resort islands such as Kish are cetaceans coincided with The Persian Gulf extremely popular and developing rapidly. war oil spill, however the dead animals Unless there are controls placed on coastal were located 120 – 250 km south of the development in Iran it is likely to proceed spill and the cause of death was not along similar unsustainable lines as states identified (Robineau, 1998; Preen, 2004). such as the UAE potentially causing In Iran the continual input of oil into the declines in fisheries resources and negative marine environment from natural seepage impacts on marine mammals. The largest and human activities causes pollution that threat to cetaceans in Iran is likely to be could have a chronic affect on marine incidental capture in fishing gear mammals. There is also always a risk of (Robineau, 1998; De Boer et al., 2003). new catastrophic oil spills. In most cases The country has the largest fishing fleet in cetaceans would be expected to avoid a the region and uses techniques such fixed spill and the greatest impact on them is and drift gillnets and purse-seining for tuna likely to be indirect effects on prey known to cause mortality of cetaceans availability, or the health effects of elsewhere in the world (Jefferson and

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Curry, 1994; Perrin et al., 1994 ; Gosliner, identification was made based on tooth 1999; FAO, 2005). All seven records of counts and/or basic morphology. marine mammal incidental mortality in fishing gear in Iran are of finless porpoises Discussion and this near-shore species may be A total of 98 marine mammal records declining in Iranian waters due to bycatch. were compiled from Iranian coastal Other porpoise species such as the Vaquita waters of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of (Phocoena sinus) and Harbour porpoise Oman of which 66 are previously (Phocoena phocoena) are especially unpublished new records. Seventy-nine vulnerable to entanglement in gillnets and were from the Persian Gulf and 16 from as a result have suffered large-scale the Gulf of Oman coast. The largest population declines (Read and Gaskin, numbers of records were from Qeshm 1988; D'agrosa et al., 2000; Biack and Island (36) and Bushehr Provinces (25). Sutinen, 2006; Rojas-Bracho et al., 2006). Records of finless porpoise (Neophocaena Records were compiled from cited phocaenoides), Indo-pacific humpback references in english and english dolphin (Sousa chinensis) and Indo- translations of references in farsi. pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops Relevant references include general texts aduncus) were by far the most numerous on the marine ecology of the Persian Gulf probably reflecting their inshore and Arabian Sea (ROPME, 2003), guides distribution and local abundance. Other to the mammals of Iran which include species recorded are common dolphin comments on cetaceans (Firoz, 1976; (Delphinus capensis tropicalis), rough- Harrington Jr., 1977; Etemad, 1984; Ziaie, toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), 1996; Firouz, 2005), specific texts Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), false describing cetacean distribution and killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), and occurrence in adjacent waters, especially dugong (Dugong dugon). Evidence of 22 Downloaded from jifro.ir at 0:01 +0330 on Sunday February 25th 2018 those from the Sultanate of Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia (Baldwin and Cockroft, Mysticetes were obtained eight of which 1997 ;Baldwin et al., 1999; Baldwin et al., were tentatively identified as Bryde’s 2001; Baldwin et al., 2004; Minton, 2004; whales (Balaenoptera edeni), three as Fin Preen, 2004; Collins et al., 2005;) and whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and three records of marine mammal sightings or as Humpback whales (Megaptera strandings published inside Iran (Anon., novaeangliae). A description of marine 1995a; Anon., 1995b; Anon., 1998; Anon., mammal records in Iran by species and 2003c). Evidence of stranded marine region follows. mammal specimens and live sightings

were compiled, but they were only Odontocetes included in this paper if there were accompanying photographs of sufficient Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops quality that a positive identification could aduncus) be made. Cetacean skeletal remains were The taxonomy of the globally distributed examined and photographed and Tursiops sp. is unresolved. The Indo- pacific bottlenose dolphin Tursiops Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 15(2) 2016 931

aduncus is believed to occur throughout resolve the taxonomy (IWC., 2001.; the Indian Ocean including the Persian Reeves et al., 2003). Humpback dolphins Gulf and Gulf of Oman where it may be in Iran are primarily grey-coloured with sympatric with Tursiops truncatus. very large dorsal humps and Genetic analysis of Tursiops from Oman morphologically conform to the indicated that they were T. truncatus description of S. plumbea (Ross et al., (Ballance and Pitman, 1998), however 1994), however for clarity, until the skulls in the Persian Gulf showed the taxonomic status of S. plumbea is convex premaxillaries in lateral view and resolved, all records of Sousa spp. and other skeletal and morphologic Sotalia spp. in Iran will be treated as S. characteristics ascribed to T. aduncus chinensis. Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Ross, 1977;Robineau and Fiquet, 1996; occur in shallow, near shore waters, Ross, 1984;Robineau, 1998; Wang et al., generally less than 20m deep and often 2000). For the purposes of this review we near large river mouths. Water depth is follow the conclusions of previous authors probably the main factor limiting their in the region and refer to all Bottlenose offshore distribution (Jefferson and dolphin records as Tursiops aduncus Karczmarski, 2001). We compiled 20 (Robineau and Fiquet, 1996; Robineau, records of humpback dolphins in Iranian 1998; Preen, 2004). Nineteen records of waters, 18 were live sightings and there are Tursiops were compiled from Iranian two skeletal records. The bulk of the coastal waters; four strandings, six records (16) are from Qeshm and sightings and the skeletal remains of nine Hormozgan Provinces, and there is one animals stored in museums. One record record from Khuzestan, two from Bushehr was from the Gulf of Oman and of the and one of unknown specific location in remaining 18 records in the Persian Gulf; Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf

Downloaded from jifro.ir at 0:01 +0330 on Sunday February 25th 2018 seven were from Bushehr, one from (northwest part). Hormozgan, one from offshore waters of the Hormoz Strait and nine from the Finless porpoise (Neophocaena vicinity of Qeshm Island. phocaenoides) Pilleri and Gihr (1972) showed the Indo-pacific humpbacked dolphin (Sousa probable global geographic distribution of chinensis) Neophocaena phocaenoides to include the The taxonomy of the Genus Sousa is entire coastline of Iran including both the unresolved despite several recent Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, however morphological and molecular genetic until this present study there has been no studies (Rosenbaum et al., 2002; Jefferson data to substantiate this suggestion. Finless and Van Waerebeek, 2004). The IWC and porpoises in Iranian waters are the Indian IUCN, conservatively recognise two Ocean subspecies Neophocaena species S. teuszii, the Atlantic humpback phocaenoides phocaenoides (Reeves et al., dolphin and S. chinensis, the Indo-Pacific 1997). Throughout their range finless humpback dolphin until further studies porpoises inhabit shallow coastal waters,

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and inshore partially enclosed water bodies Jr., 1977; Humphrey and Kharom, 1995; (Reeves et al., 1997). A seasonal Ziaie, 1996; Firouz, 2005). Despite this movement of animals inshore during the confusion, Delphinus spp. is undoubtedly winter and offshore during the summer has found in Iran. There are six positive been noted in several parts of this species records, two from the Persian Gulf, three range including Pakistan (Pilleri and Gihr, from the Gulf of Oman and one skull of 1972; Roberts, 1997) and Hong Kong unknown origin that is stored at the (Jefferson and Braulik, 1999). University of Tehran, Faculty of Sciences We compiled 21 records of Finless Zoological Museum. Photos of an porpoise from the coast of southern Iran. additional three stranded dolphins, one on These comprised evidence of nine Qeshm Island and two near Chabahar strandings, 11 live sightings and the could not be identified to species and were skeletal remains of one individual. Finless classified as Stenella longirostris/ porpoises have been recorded in all coastal Delphinus sp. provinces but records are most numerous from Bushehr (8 records) and north of Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) Qeshm Island (7 records). There is just a It was concluded by Van Waerebeek et al. single record from Sistan-e-Baluchistan (1999) that Spinner dolphins off the coast recorded in Chabahar by T.J. Roberts of Oman should be treated as a discrete (1977). population morphologically distinct from all other known Spinner subspecies. Common dolphin (Delphinus spp.) Spinners in Oman have cranial Delphinus delphis, D. capensis and D. morphometrics similar to Stenella tropicalis have been reported in the region, longirostris asiaorientalis from the east however the taxonomy of these species, Pacific, but external features quite

Downloaded from jifro.ir at 0:01 +0330 on Sunday February 25th 2018 especially the tropicalis form is unclarified different from these. Two colour morphs (Perrin, 2002). Most recent authors have have been described. A common tripartite attributed all Delphinus records in the Gulf pan tropical form, and another small, of Oman and Persian Gulf to the very atypical form which was less common. long-beaked form Delphinus capensis cf. Spinner dolphins are known to occur in tropicalis and it is possible to clearly both the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, differentiate Delphinus cf. tropicalis in the and while it is likely they do enter Iranian field ( Robineau and Fiquet, 1996;Ballance waters there are at present no definite and Pitman, 1998; Robineau, 1998). All records. skulls examined in Iran were identified as Delphinus cf. tropicalis based on tooth Rough-toothed dolphin (Steno counts. The common dolphin is the bredanensis) cetacean species most frequently cited as A complete skull of a mature Rough- occurring in Iranian waters, however many toothed dolphin, dated 22nd June 1975 is of the records refer to mis-identified stored in the small museum at the Iranian sightings or skeletal remains (Harrington Fisheries Sciences Research Institute Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 15(2) 2016 933

(IFSRI) office in Chabahar. This is the Iranian waters of the Gulf of Oman. There first, and only, record of this species in is only one Iranian record of this species Iran. This specimen is the first evidence which was a stranding near Chabahar. that Rough-toothed dolphins occur anywhere in the north of the Gulf of Oman Melon-headed whale (Peponocephala or Arabian Sea, it has not been recorded in electra) Pakistan and the only previous records The knowledge of this species in the north- from the Gulf of Oman are of two west Indian Ocean is very limited and sightings in the south of the outer Gulf of there are no confirmed sightings in the Oman near the Oman coast in 1995 Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman (Baldwin et (Ballance and Pitman, 1998). Several al., 1999; Baldwin et al., 2001). A comprehensive reviews of cetaceans in the sighting of Melon-headed whales in the Persian Gulf did not find any evidence of Gulf of Oman reported by Leatherwood et Rough-toothed dolphin occurrence and it al. (1991) was treated as unconfirmed by is unlikely that this is suitable habitat for Van Waerebeek et al. (1999) due to lack of this deep water species (Robineau, 1998). supporting evidence and the ease of confusing this with other species. It is Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) suggested that reports of sighted and Risso’s dolphin is a pelagic species that is stranded melon-headed whales along the relatively common seaward of the Makran Coast and Indus Delta Pakistan continental shelf in the northern Indian (Roberts, 1997) be treated as unconfirmed Ocean and Arabian Sea (Kruse et al., for the same reason. Melon-headed 1991;Baldwin et al., 1998). The shallow whales have not been recorded in Iran. water of the Persian Gulf is unlikely to be suitable habitat for Grampus, there is one False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens)

Downloaded from jifro.ir at 0:01 +0330 on Sunday February 25th 2018 published sighting near to Bahrain in the False killer whales have been reported as Persian Gulf (Kruse et al., 1991) but the present but not common in the Persian original source could not be traced by Gulf and Gulf of Oman, and are listed by Baldwin et al. (1998) and its presence is most Iranian authors as occurring in Iran considered unconfirmed and unlikely in (Etemad, 1984; Ziaie, 1996; Baldwin et the Persian Gulf. Most Iranian authors list al., 1999; De Boer et al., 2003; Firouz, Grampus as present in Iran (Darrehshori et 2005;). This species is believed to be al., 1996; Ziaie, 1996;Firouz, 2005) relatively abundant in pelagic equatorial however, there are no published records to regions of the Indian Ocean (Leatherwood substantiate this claim. There are et al., 1991) but would be expected to numerous records of Risso’s dolphins from occur at lower densities in the shallow the Omani coast of the Gulf of Oman enclosed water of the Persian Gulf. (Gallagher, 1991a; Kruse et al., 1991; Baldwin et al., 1998; Ballance and Pitman, Killer whale (Orcinus orca) 1998) and it is therefore expected that A sighting of six Killer whales in the Grampus is also relatively common in Persian Gulf was published by

934 Owfi et al., Species diversity and distribution of pattern of marine mammals of the Persian Gulf and …

Leatherwood et al. (1991), however the 1998;Baldwin et al., 2001), and Pilot position given is approximately 38km Whale (Globicephala macrocephalus) inland close to Bandar Abbas in Iran and (Baldwin et al., 2001). this record and the occurrence of this species in the Persian Gulf is therefore Mysticetes unsubstantiated. There have been at least Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) seven sightings and one stranding in Oman Blue whales have been reported to occur in (Baldwin et al., 2001) and although this Iranian waters (Harrington Jr., 1977; species has not been recorded in Iranian Humphrey and Kharom, 1995; Ziaie, waters of the Gulf of Oman it may be an 1996), the only evidence for this is a uncommon visitor. suggestion that whales near Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island are blue and fin whales Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) (Etemad, 1984). The presence of Blue Sperm whales have not been recorded and whales anywhere in the Persian Gulf is are not expected to occur in the Persian unconfirmed and given that this is a deep Gulf. There are many records of sperm water species the shallow Gulf is unlikely whales in deep water off the coast of to be a highly frequented area. The only Oman and UAE in the Gulf of Oman and Blue whale record in the Persian Gulf was they are believed to be resident in this area an animal stranded in Kuwait on 6 June (Alling, 1986; Gallagher, 1991b; Ballance 1963 (al-Robbae, 1971b), however, the and Pitman, 1998; Baldwin et al., 1999; species identification needs to be Baldwin et al., 2001; Watts et al., 2002). confirmed (Robineau, 1998). Blue whales Sperm whales have not been recorded in have been sighted on several occasions in Iran but it is very likely that they do occur Omani waters of the Gulf of Oman ( in deep water of the Iranian Gulf of Oman. Baldwin et al., 1999; Baldwin et al., 2001)

Downloaded from jifro.ir at 0:01 +0330 on Sunday February 25th 2018 and it is possible that they also Other Odontocetes occasionally occur in Iranian waters, Two species that are rare in Omani waters however this species is yet to be confirmed of the Gulf of Oman, are striped dolphins anywhere in Iran. Stenella coeruleoalba and Pan-tropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata) Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) (Gallagher, 1991a; Baldwin et al., 2001) Fin whales are typically included in these species have not been recorded in checklists of mammals occurring in Iran Iran but it is possible they may be (Harrington Jr., 1977; Etemad, 1984; uncommon visitors. Other Odontocetes Ziaie, 1996; Firouz, 2005). There are three known from very few records in the region Iranian records of this species, all from the and that may occur in Iranian waters are Persian Gulf, however they all require the Pygmy Killer Whale (Feresa identification confirmation. A fin whale attenuata) ( Harwood, 1980;Alling, 1986), measuring 19m in length was stranded Dwarf Sperm Whale (Kogia simus)( near Sorou, 30 km south of Bandar Abbas, Gallagher, 1991a; Ballance and Pitman, Iran in April 1971. The skeleton is now Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 15(2) 2016 935

stored in the Zoological Museum of the (Record #44 includes both a stranding and University of Tehran (Baloutch, 1972). A the subsequently preserved skeleton). skeleton in an aquarium shop in Bushehr Three records are from , town and another at the Museum of three from Qeshm Island, and one from Natural History in Tehran were tentatively Hormoz Island in the Persian Gulf identified as fin whales. Firoz (2005) (Hormoz Strait). There is a single record reported that fin whales are occasionally from the Iranian waters of the Gulf of seen near Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island Oman. The identification of the skeletal but this requires confirmation. Fin whales remains should be treated as tentative, are known to occur elsewhere in the pending a more detailed evaluation. Persian Gulf. Two skeletons are displayed at the Zoological Museum, King Saud Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and The occurrence of Sei whales in the probably stranded around 1970 (de Silva, Arabian region is uncertain, there are 1987), a 13.5m Fin whale stranded in the unconfirmed sightings in the Gulf of UAE in 1978, the skeleton is now Oman (Baldwin et al., 1999) but there is exhibited at the Natural History Museum, no evidence of Sei Whale occurrence in UAE University (al-Robbae, 1982; Iran. Robineau, 1998) and two Fin whales stranded on islands off the UAE in 1995 Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) (Baldwin et al., 1999). Baldwin et al. Minke Whales have been observed on (1999) reported several unconfirmed several occasions in Omani waters of the sightings in the Persian Gulf, however Gulf of Oman (Baldwin et al., 2001). large pods of as many as 100 fin whales There is no evidence of their occurrence in reported by Humphrey and Kharom (1995) Iranian waters and the Persian Gulf.

Downloaded from jifro.ir at 0:01 +0330 on Sunday February 25th 2018 from Iranian waters, seem unlikely. There are several unconfirmed Fin whale Humpback whale (Megaptera sightings in the Gulf of Oman (Baldwin et novaeangliae) al., 1999; Baldwin et al., 2001), but none Humpback whales are listed as occurring from Iranian waters. in Iran in almost all national mammal reviews and checklists (Firoz, 1976; Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) Harrington Jr., 1977; Etemad, Bryde’s whales are known to occur in 1984;Humphrey and Kharom, 1995; Ziaie, Iranian waters, many Balaenoptera edeni 1996; Firouz, 2005), but these records remains have been wrongly identified as appear to be based on many Balaenoptera Megaptera novaeangliae, and it is sp. skeletons that have been mis-identified probable that Bryde’s whales are relatively as humpbacks. We compiled three definite common in Iran (Ziaie, 1996; Firouz, records of Humpback whales; two 2005). strandings and one sighting all in Sistan- Eight records were compiled, seven Baluchistan Province. skeletal remains and two strandings

936 Owfi et al., Species diversity and distribution of pattern of marine mammals of the Persian Gulf and …

Sirenia van der Have (2002) reported that ‘a single Dugong (Dugong dugon) individual was seen briefly in a rather Dugong occur along the southern margins narrow and muddy creek about 15m wide of the Persian Gulf in coastal waters of on 29th January 2000. It surfaced about Bahrain, UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia 5m from the boat and then dived. When it (Marsh et al., 2002). Density is highest in surfaced near the boat the broad flattened the protected shallow waters between snout was seen, and when it subsequently Bahrain and Qatar and around Murawah dived the tailstock and V-shaped flukes Island in the UAE. The largest dugong were seen very clearly’. Green (2000) also aggregation ever recorded, numbering 674 described a sighting of three dugongs in animals, was found between Bahrain and the protected area on 1st November 2000. Qatar in the winter of 1985-86. Dugong These records show that dugong have abundance in the Gulf was estimated as occurred in Iran, but it is unclear whether 5840 ± 903 which is the world’s second these individuals indicate the presence of a largest population and the most important separate population in Iranian waters or area in the west of the species range whether they were vagrants that dispersed (Preen, 2004). Iran has generally not been from the southern part of the Persian Gulf listed as a dugong range state and Preen population. In Australia dugongs regularly (2004) suggested that dugong distribution move distances of 40 - 100 km and some in the north and west of the Gulf was individuals have been shown to undertake limited by cold winter water temperatures. long distance movements of at least 600 As dugong typically inhabit shallow km across deep oceanic so dispersal 300 tropical and subtropical waters with a km across the relatively shallow Persian mean sea surface temperature of 23oC or Gulf is quite feasible (Marsh et al., 2002). greater and apparently avoid prolonged

Downloaded from jifro.ir at 0:01 +0330 on Sunday February 25th 2018 exposure to water temperatures of less than Acknowledgements 18oC, it was suggested that the temperature We would like to acknowledge the regime and bathymetry in Iran (except for contribution of Thomas Jefferson, Bill north Qeshm Island) would be unsuitable Perrin and Bill McLellan who assisted in to support significant numbers of this species identification of stranded species (Marsh et al., 2002; Preen, 2004). individuals and skeletal remains from There are unconfirmed sightings of photographs. Dr. Nabavee from DoE - dugong in Gwatar near the Pakistan border Tehran extended every assistance during (Firouz, 2005). Firouz (2005) reported a data collection. IFSRI Tehran facilitated sighting of two dugong in the Mond River the field research and extended their estuary (approximately 100km south of hospitality in all the coastal cities. The Bushehr), however this report is also IFRSI and DoE staff in Bushehr, Bandar unconfirmed. There are, however two Abbas, Qeshm Island and Chabahar confirmed sightings of dugong in the Hara provided valuable information for this Protected Area, mangrove forests in north review. Mr. Dareshori, Qeshm Free Zone of Qeshm Island (KhoranStrait). Keijl and Authority, Dr. Fatemi from Islamic Azad Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 15(2) 2016 937

University, Tehran, Dr. Sari, Tehran (1982-1984). Journal of the Bombay University, Prof. Kharom extended help, Natural History Society, 83, 376-394. encouragement and assistance. Anon., 1994. Red tide in the Sea of Oman. Iranian Fisheries Research and Training References Organisation Newsletter, 6 (Autumn al-Robaae, K., 1970. First record of the 1994),2. speckled dolphin Sotalia lentiginosa Anon., 1995a. Catching a small whale in Gray, 1866 in the Persian Gulf. Bandar Abbas and Dayer coasts Saugetierkundliche Mitteilungen, 18, (Persian Gulf). Iranian Fisheries 227-228. Research and Training Organisation al-Robaae, K., 1974. Tursiops aduncus Newsletter, 9. Bottle nosed dolphin: A new record for Anon., 1995b. Courtship of dolphins in the Persian Gulf; with notes on Cetacea Khor-e-Musa. Iranian Fisheries of the region. Bulletin of the Basrah Research and Training Organisation Natural History Museum, 1(1), 7-15. Newsletter, 9. al-Robaae, K., 1975. Neophocaena Anon., 1998. Neophocaena phocaenoides phocaenoides Asiatic Black Finless in the Bushehr Provinces's waters. Porpoise: A new record for the Persian Iranian Fisheries Research and Training Gulf. Bulletin of the Basrah Natural Organisation Newsletter, 21. History Museum, 2, 47-49. Anon., 2003a. Natosquilla sp. bloom in al-Robbae, K., 1969. Bryde's whale on the the western Indian Ocean. Iranian coast of Iraq. Saugetier Kunde, 34, 120- Fisheries Research Organisation 125. Newsletter, 37 (Autumn 2003), 3. al-Robbae, K., 1971a. False killer whale Anon., 2003b. Red tide bloom in Sistan Pseudorca crassidens a new record for and Baluchistan Province coastal waters

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