Summer sightings of dwarf minke whales ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata) off the eastern coast of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstract

– Twenty-two sightings of dwarf minke whales were made during shore-based surveys for cetaceans conducted from the Pontal do Atalaia headland, Arraial do Cabo, southeastern Brazil, in january 2001. Whales were observed associated with brown boobies, kelp gulls and terns, in apparent feeding behaviour. the white patch on the flippers and shoulder was clearly visible on most whales as the majority of the sightings were made in close proximity to land. the nutrient rich waters of the cabo frio upwelling ecosystem seem to provide a constant food supply for whales and dolphins. Resumo – Foram reunidas 22 avistagens da baleia-minke-anã a partir de observações de ponto fixo conduzidas em Arraial do Cabo, Sudeste do Brasil, em janeiro de 2001. As baleias encontravam-se associadas com atobás, gaivotões e trinta-réis em aparente comportamento alimentar. As características manchas brancas nas peitorais e ombros foi claramente visível na maioria das baleias uma vez que as avistagens foram realizadas nas proximidades do Pontal do Atalaia. As águas ricas em nutrientes da ressurgência de Cabo Frio parecem fornecer um aporte de alimentos constante para baleias e golfinhos.