The Confirmed Stranding of an Adult Female Risso's Dolphin, Grampus griseus (G. Cuvier, 1812), in the northeastern Mediterranean Sea

Year 2023, , 183 - 194, 15.12.2023

Deniz Ayas , Nuray Çiftçi , Yekta Tanış

https://doi.org/10.28978/nesciences.1405168

Abstract

The study aimed to report a confirmed stranding record of an adult female Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) from the northeastern Mediterranean Sea. This species is classified as "Least Concern" in the Mediterranean by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The individual, which was first seen alive from the Erdemli shores of Mersin Bay on 10 April 2023, was tried to push back into the water after being stranded ashore. After the individual died, the corpse was brought to Mersin University Marine Life Museum for external examination. It was determined that the individual weighed 360 kg and had a length of 330 cm. Many old and new scars were found on the individual's skin. It was understood that the newly formed deep cut marks on the head area were caused by the individual hitting the fishing nets. The study is the confirmed stranding of an adult female Risso's dolphin record in the northeastern Mediterranean Sea.

Keywords

Grampus griseus, Risso’s dolphin, northeastern Mediterranean Sea, Mersin Bay, external examination

Supporting Institution

Research Fund of Mersin University

Project Number

2021-1-AP5-4306 and 2021-2-AP5-4485.

Thanks

We thank the Coast Guard and local government teams for their support. This study was supported by the Research Fund of Mersin University with Project Numbers 2021-1-AP5-4306 and 2021-2-AP5-4485.

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