New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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Short communication
Occurrence and distribution of Chilean dolphin (Cephalorhynchus eutropia) in coastal waters of central Chile

Mariá José Pérez-Álvarez^1,2
Emilia Alvarez¹
Anelio Aguayo-Lobo^3,4
Carlos Olavarría^1,3

¹ Eutropia
 Centro de Investigación de Aves y Mamíferos Marinos de Chile
 Uno Poniente 960, Dpto. 1102
 Viña del Mar, Chile
² Facultad de Ciencias
 Universidad de Valparaíso
 Gran Bretaña 1111, Playa Ancha
 Valparaíso, Chile
³ Centro de Estudios del Cuaternario (CEQUA)
 Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055
 Punta Arenas, Chile
⁴ Instituto Antártico Chileno (INACH)
 Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055
 Punta Arenas, Chile

Abstract The Chilean dolphin, Cephalorhynchus eutropia, is an endemic species distributed along the central-southern coast of Chile. Biological and ecological knowledge about this species is insufficient; it is catalogued as Data Deficient “DD” by the World Conservation Union. This study provides information on the species’ occurrence and distribution along the central Chilean coast from January 2000 to March 2001. Monthly land-based surveys were performed within the study area, which was divided by the Maule River outlet, with the northern area more influenced by an estuarine system than the southern one. Chilean dolphins were sighted in 83% of surveys. The relative abundance was significantly higher in the northern than the southern area (13.6 dolphins/h versus 3.5 dolphins/h). Three behaviour categories were recorded (feeding, socialising, and travelling) in both areas, however, these were more frequently observed in the northern area. We suggest that the area located north of Maule River is the preferred zone for Chilean dolphins within the study area. This study shows a year-round occurrence of Chilean dolphin in the study area which is possibly a critical habitat for this species. Further research focused on population structure assessment and residence patterns of the species in the study area is required.

Keywords land-based survey; sightings; boat survey; relative abundance; behaviour; Constitución; Chile

New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2007, Vol. 41: 405–409
0028–8330/07/4104–0405     © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2007
M07026; Online publication date 28 November 2007
Received 29 May 2007; accepted 22 October 2007

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