207
direct observation, being the first sighting of 10 min and the second of 20 min. The
sightings occurred in the depths of 97 and 200 m. The sea conditions were presented
in scale 1 and the wind intensity of 8 knots for both sightings. The two sightings had
occurred near to Praia do Forte (Fig. 8.13).
Peponocephala electra (Gray, 1846)
This species, the melon-headed dolphin, Peponocephala electra, was also recorded
only once, in 2004. The total number was of 20 individuals, observed in 1 group,
with 20 min of direct observation. The sea conditions were presented in scale 1 with
intensity of the wind was of 16 knots. Its single record occurred near to Praia do
Forte (Fig. 8.14).
Stenella frontalis (G. Cuvier, 1829)
In the present study, the Atlantic spotted dolphin, Stenella frontalis, (Fig. 8.15) was
sighted just once, in the year of 2004, in the coordinates 12° 16′S and 38°
51′W. There were 02 individuals in total, observed for 5 min, bow riding the research
boat. The local depth was of 51 m, with the sea conditions in scale 1 and intensity
of the wind of 9 knots. The sighting occurred near to Salvador (Fig. 8.16).
The total number of individuals recorded in the study period (2001 to 2006) was
562 animals. T. truncatus, S. guianensis and S. clymene were the most representative species, with 274, 115 and 113 individuals recorded, respectively. The species
S. bredanensis, P. electra, F. attenuata and S.frontalis were the least sighted with
–13
–13
–39
–38
–39
–38
N
50
100 km
0
100m
300m
Praia do Forte
Salvador
Feresa attenuata
Fig. 8.12 Sightings of the pygmy killer whale, Feresa attenuata, in the north coast of Bahia State,
Brazil, between 2001 and 2006
8 Opportunistic Sightings of Dolphins (MAMMALIA, CETACEA, DELPHINIDAE)…
direct observation, being the first sighting of 10 min and the second of 20 min. The
sightings occurred in the depths of 97 and 200 m. The sea conditions were presented
in scale 1 and the wind intensity of 8 knots for both sightings. The two sightings had
occurred near to Praia do Forte (Fig. 8.13).
Peponocephala electra (Gray, 1846)
This species, the melon-headed dolphin, Peponocephala electra, was also recorded
only once, in 2004. The total number was of 20 individuals, observed in 1 group,
with 20 min of direct observation. The sea conditions were presented in scale 1 with
intensity of the wind was of 16 knots. Its single record occurred near to Praia do
Forte (Fig. 8.14).
Stenella frontalis (G. Cuvier, 1829)
In the present study, the Atlantic spotted dolphin, Stenella frontalis, (Fig. 8.15) was
sighted just once, in the year of 2004, in the coordinates 12° 16′S and 38°
51′W. There were 02 individuals in total, observed for 5 min, bow riding the research
boat. The local depth was of 51 m, with the sea conditions in scale 1 and intensity
of the wind of 9 knots. The sighting occurred near to Salvador (Fig. 8.16).
The total number of individuals recorded in the study period (2001 to 2006) was
562 animals. T. truncatus, S. guianensis and S. clymene were the most representative species, with 274, 115 and 113 individuals recorded, respectively. The species
S. bredanensis, P. electra, F. attenuata and S.frontalis were the least sighted with
–13
–13
–39
–38
–39
–38
N
50
100 km
0
100m
300m
Praia do Forte
Salvador
Feresa attenuata
Fig. 8.12 Sightings of the pygmy killer whale, Feresa attenuata, in the north coast of Bahia State,
Brazil, between 2001 and 2006
8 Opportunistic Sightings of Dolphins (MAMMALIA, CETACEA, DELPHINIDAE)…