STRANDINGS OF THE BEAKED WHALES, RISSO’S DOLPHINS, AND A MINKE WHALE ON THE TURKISH COAST OF THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Strandings of the beaked whales, Risso’s dolphins, and a minke whale on the Turkish coast of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Ayaka Amaha Öztürk, Arda M. Tonay, Ayhan Dede

Faculty of Fisheries, Istanbul University, Istanbul, TURKEY
Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), Istanbul, TURKEY

Abstract

Stranding information of nine Cuvier‟s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) and one Mesoplodon sp., five Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), and one minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) on the Turkish coast of the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea was compiled, based on the published and unpublished data between 1964 and 2011. Mesoplodon sp. and the minke whale were rare, possibly visitors, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Keywords: Eastern Mediterranean, Cetacean strandings, Turkey, Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), Mesoplodon, minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

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