@article{,

title = {Marine Mammal Records from Iran},

author = {Braulik,G.,Ranjbar,S.,Owfi,F.,Aminrad,T.,Dakhteh,S.M.H.,Kamrani,E.,Mohsenizadeh,F.},

year  = {2010},

date = {2010-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Cetacean Research and Management},

volume = {11},

number = {334},

pages = {49-63},

abstract = {A total of 114 marine mammal records of 14 species were compiled from Iranian coastalwaters of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Eighty-one were from the Persian Gulf, 23from the Gulf of Oman and 10 were of unknown location. Records of finless porpoise(Neophocaena phocaenoides) (24), Indo-pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) (22)and Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) (21) were by far the most numerousa probable reflection of their inshore distribution and local abundance. Other speciesrecorded were common dolphin (Delphinus capensis tropicalis), rough-toothed dolphin(Steno bredanensis), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), spinner dolphin (Stenellalongirostris), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens),sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and dugong (Dugong dugon). Records of 24Mysticetes were compiled, 11 of which were tentatively identified as Bryde's whales(Balaenoptera edeni), three as Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), three as Humpbackwhales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and the remainder were unidentified. The largest threat tomarine mammals in Iran is likely to be incidental capture in fishing gear. Nine finlessporpoises were recorded as bycatch and this and other coastal species may be declining dueto unsustainable mortality rates. Other threats to the marine environment are discussed andrecommended marine mammal conservation and management small projects are described.},

keywords = {abundance, bottlenose dolphin, Bryde's whale, Common dolphin, conservation, Distribution, dolphin, dugong, fin whale, Finless Porpoise, fishing gear, Gulf of Oman, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, incidental capture, killer whale, location, mammals, management, marine, marine mammal, Marine mammals, mortality, mysticete, mysticetes, Oman, Porpoise, Risso's dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, Spinner dolphin, whale, whales},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Feeding ecology of small cetaceans in the Sultanate of Oman},

author = {Ponnampalam,L.,Collins,T.J.Q.,Minton,G.,Baldwin,R},

year  = {2007},

date = {2007-01-01},

journal = {Poster presented at the 17th meeting of the Society for Marine Mammals in Cape Town},

number = {433},

abstract = {Beach surveys were conducted along the coast of Oman between 2000 and 2006 to locate and examine cetacean remains. This study examines the stomach contents of 11 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.), 5 Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and 2 spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) that were found beach-cast along the Omani coastline. Across the three species examined, a total of 4796 fish otoliths and 214 cephalopod beaks were found, representing 36 species in 23 families. No crustacean remains were found. Prey item importance was calculated using the percentage by number (%N), and percentage by frequency of occurrence (%FO) methods, and a modified index of relative importance (IRI). Percentage similarity was also calculated to examine interspecific and intraspecific dietary overlap. All three species of dolphins examined here ate mainly fish. The fish families Apogonidae and Carangidae were the most numerically important prey in the diet of bottlenose dolphins. Sciaenidae was the most numerically important fish family for humpback dolphins. Mesopelagic fishes comprised the diet of spinner dolphins, with the myctophid Benthosema pterotum forming the bulk of the prey items. The cephalopod preys found in the stomach samples were represented by the families Sepiidae, Loliginidae and Onychoteuthidae. The frequency distribution of prey items indicate that the bottlenose dolphins fed in a wide variety of habitats, and may reflect the occurrence of at least two species or ecotypes of Tursiops in Oman. The humpback dolphin prey items indicate feeding in coastal, nearshore areas with soft substrate. Spinner dolphins appeared to feed in the upper 200m of the water column on nocturnal vertically migrating prey. Although most of the prey species do not appear to be of commercial importance, the findings of this study indicated that all three species of dolphins were feeding in areas where fishing occurs and this is likely to have conservation implications. },

keywords = {bottlenose dolphin, bottlenose dolphins, cephalopod, cetacean, cetaceans, conservation, diet, Distribution, dolphin, dolphins, ecology, feeding, feeding ecology, fish, habitat, humpback dolphins, occurrence, Oman, prey, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, stomach contents, survey, tursiops},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin of the Arabian region: a status review},

author = {Baldwin,R.M.,Collins,T.J.Q.,Van Waerebeek,K.,Minton,G.},

url = {https://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=247:the-indo-pacific-humpback-dolphin-of-the-arabian-region-a-status-review&catid=13&Itemid=157},

year  = {2004},

date = {2004-01-01},

journal = {Aquatic Mammals},

volume = {30},

number = {319},

pages = {111-124},

abstract = {Records of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin sightings, strandings, and museum specimens in the Arabian region were compiled and used to review the distribution and status of this species. Nominal usage of Sousa chinensis (Osbeck, 1765) has been retained as a pragmatic measure, although the species present in the region resembles Sousa plumbea (G. Cuvier, 1828). Little is known about the ecology of this species in the region. Most available information on S. chinensis in the region originates from the Sultanate of Oman, where this species is among the most commonly recorded cetaceans. However, there is no absolute measure of abundance for anywhere in the region and the status of the species is unknown. Distribution is described for the region to include much of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, but notably excludes the Gulf of Oman. This discontinuous distribution suggests the possible presence of discrete populations within the region. Beach-cast/dead individuals represent nearly two-thirds of all records (n=303) of this species in Oman. Live sightings indicate unusually large group sizes (up to 100 individuals) in the Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf. Occasional associations with Tursiops sp. and Delphinus capensis tropicalis were documented. Mating behaviour and the presence of calves were recorded in the months of April and May and calves are also reported in June, October, November and December. Threats to humpback dolphins in the Arabian region include incidental capture in fishing nets, coastal and offshore development (e.g. land reclamation, dredging, port and harbour construction), pollution, boat traffic, oil and gas exploration (including seismic surveying), military exercises and biotoxins associated with red tide events. Evidence for historic and current directed catches of S. chinensis is limited, but opportunistic hunting may occur. Intraspecific variation in cranial measurements of individuals from the Arabian Sea coast of Oman fall within relative values found in individuals from the Saudi Arabian Gulf coast. Cranial abnormalities were few. Recommendations are made for conservation management-oriented research focusing on stock identity and status assessments, as well as for monitoring of fisheries bycatch, clearer definition of other threats, continued specimen and sample collection and training of local scientists.},

keywords = {abundance, Arabian Gulf, Arabian region, Arabian Sea, associations, behaviour, Boat traffic, cetacean, cetaceans, conservation, development, Distribution, dolphin, dolphins, ecology, Fisheries, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, humpback dolphins, incidental capture, military, museum specimens, nets, Oman, pollution, population, populations, Red Sea, status, Stock identity, Strandings, tursiops},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Cetaceans of the Western Tropical Indian Ocean: Distribution, Relative Abundance, and comparisons with Cetacean Communities of Two other Tropical Ecosystems},

author = {Ballance,L.T,Pitman,R.L.},

year  = {1998},

date = {1998-01-01},

journal = {Marine Mammal Science},

volume = {14},

number = {321},

pages = {429-459},

abstract = {We conducted a cetacean survey in the pelagic western tropical Indian Ocean (WTIO) aboard an 85-m research vessel from March to July 1995, covering 9,784 linear km. Using 25x binoculars and line-transect methods, we recorded 589 sightings of 21 species. Stenella longirostris was the most abundant cetacean, in terms of number of individuals sighted, by an order of magnitude above any other species, while Physeter macrocephalus was the most frequently sighted, in terms of number of schools. Twelve species were widespread, seven were rare, and two were localized; our sightings include new distributional records for 12 species. Significant observations included the following: (1) Delphinus cf. tropicalis was abundant off the coast of Oman (16 sightings) and readily distinguishable in the field from D. delphis and D. capensis, (2) Balaenoptera musculus was fairly common and localized in the area of the Maldives (17 sightings), and (3) three sightings were made of an unidentified bottlenose whale tentatively referred to as Indopacetus (i.e., Mesoplodon) pacificus. We recorded 26 mixed-species cetacean schools, 43 schools with which seabirds associated, and 17 schools associated with tuna. Notable among these were mixed aggregations of Stenella attenuata, S. longirostris, yellowfin tuna, and seabirds. The cetacean community of the WTIO was similar to that of the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP) and the Gulf of Mexico (GM) in several respects. First, differences in abundance rank of individual species were small, with the result that common species were common and rare species were rare, regardless of ocean. Second, these differences in abundance were due primarily to differences in encounter rate, which varied with ocean by as much as 3,000%, and less so to school size, which generally varied less than 100%. Third, regardless of ocean, three species comprised the majority of cetaceans in the community, Stenella attenuata, S. longirostris, and S. coeruleoalba, representing 62%-82% of all individuals for all species. However, the rank order of abundance for these three species differed with ocean. Most notably, S. attenuata was abundant in the ETP and GM (abundance rank = 2 and 1, respectively) but much less common in the WTIO (abundance rank = 6). Although habitat preferences for S. attenuata appear to overlap considerably with those of S. longirostris in the ETP, our results suggest there may actually be significant differences between these two species. Detailed analysis of oceanographic correlates of distribution will be necessary in order to understand fully the habitat requirements of these pelagic dolphins, often the most conspicuous elements of tropical cetacean communities around the world.},

keywords = {abundance, cetacean, cetaceans, Distribution, dolphin, dolphins, Gulf of Mexico, habitat preference, Indian Ocean, Maldives, Mexico, Oman, relative abundance, seabirds, survey, whale},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Cranial evidence of melon-headed whale and rough-toothed dolphin from Oman and the Arabian Sea },

author = {Van Waerebeek,K.,Gallagher M.,Papastavrou,V.,Al-Lawati,S.M.},

year  = {1998},

date = {1998-01-01},

journal = {Aquatic Mammals},

number = {492},

abstract = {Published information remains scant on small cetaceans from the Arabian Sea, here defined as the NW Indian Ocean north of 15 N, including the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf (for physical features and boundaries see Anonymous, 1967, 1980) but excluding the Gulf of Aden.  Cetacean stranding and by-catch records from the Sultanate of Oman have been gathered mostly over the past two decades (van Bree & Gallagher, 1978; Gallagher & van Bree, 1980; Gallagher, 1991; Leatherwood et al, 1991; Papastavrou & Salm, 1991; Salm, 1992; Baldwin & Salm, 1994).  The present note documents the first authenticated specimens of the melon-headed whale Peponocephala electra (Gray, 1846) and rough-toothed dolphin Steno bredanensis (Lesson, 1828) from Oman and the Arabian Sea. },

keywords = {Arabian Sea, dolphin, melon-headed whale, Oman, rough-toothed dolphin, whale},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Spinner dolphins Stenella longirostris from waters off the Sultanate of Oman and the Arabian Peninsula },

author = {Van Waerebeek,K.,Baldwin,R.M.,Gallagher M.,Papastavrou,V.},

year  = {1997},

date = {1997-01-01},

journal = {unknown},

number = {490},

abstract = {Confirmed coastal range states include Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Sultanate of Oman, Somalia, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Egypt. },

keywords = {dolphin, dolphins, Iran, Oman, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, United Arab Emirates},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Sightings of whales and dolphins in the Middle East (Cetacea)},

author = {Weitkowitz, W.},

url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09397140.1992.10637606},

year  = {1992},

date = {1992-01-01},

journal = {Zoology in the Middle East},

volume = {6},

number = {252},

pages = {5-12},

abstract = {A list of 70 field observations of whales and dolphins is presented, which were made whilst travelling in the Eastern Mcditcrrancan Sea, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, and in the northwestern Indian Ocean. The data refer to 12 species: Sousa plumbea, Tursiops aduncus, Tursiops truncatus, Stenella coeruleoalba, Grampus griseus, Pseudorca crassidens, Peponocephala electra, Ziphius cavirostris, Kogia sp., Physeter macrocephalus, Balaenoptera musculus, and Megaptera novaeangliae.},

keywords = {Africa, Arabia, Arabian Sea, dolphin, Gulf of Aden, Middle East, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, whale},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Cetacean observations from the Somali Democratic Republic, September 1985 through May 1987},

author = {Small,J.A..,Small,G.J.},

year  = {1991},

date = {1991-01-01},

journal = {CEtaceans and Cetacean Research in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary: UNEP - Marine Mammal Technical Report No.3},

number = {476},

pages = {179-210},

abstract = {Two vessels operated along the Gulf of Aden and northern Indian Ocean coasts of Somalia from Aug. 1985 through May 1987.  Their fishing activities carried them on a routine basis from Djibouti to the Horn of Africa and, on many cruises, into the Indian Ocean as far south as 8øN.  The frequent and regular presence of these vessels afforded a unique opportunity for research since few previous surveys along the Somalian coast were transitory and/or of short duration.  There were 398 sightings of cetaceans representing at least 14 species: blue whale, Bryde's whale, sperm whale, melon-headed whale, false killer whale, killer whale, short-finned pilot whale, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, Risso's dolphin, spotted dolphin, striped dolphin and spinner dolphin (NO humpback whales!!).  Sightings locations and related environmental data are discussed. Some trends between years were seen in the occurrence and location of blue, killer and short-finned pilot whales.},

keywords = {Antarctic, Blue whale, bottlenose dolphin, Bryde's whale, cetacean, cetaceans, Common dolphin, dolphin, false killer whale, Gulf of Aden, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Indian Ocean, killer whale, location, marine, megaptera novaeangliae, melon-headed whale, migration, occurrence, Oman, Pacific Ocean, Risso's dolphin, sanctuaries, Southern Hemisphere, sperm whale, Spinner dolphin, spotted dolphin, stocks, Striped dolphin, survey, trend, Upwelling, whale, whales, whaling},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Osteology of the bottlenose dolphin },

author = {Rommel,S.},

year  = {1990},

date = {1990-01-01},

journal = {Academic Press, Inc?},

number = {456},

pages = {29 -49},

abstract = {This chapter describes some features of the skeleton of the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. The terminology I use generally follows that of Flower (1867, 1885). I have described the osteological features by examining specimens in the collection of the United States National Museum (USNM) (Table 1). Additional specimens were examined to verify controversial or questionable features. Most of the specimens were dolphins that stranded along the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia (see Mead and Potter, Chapter 9, this volume). In the figures, specific bone names are capitalized; other features are in lower case. In the text, specific bone names are in boldface type (e.g., orbitosphenoid); commonly used alternate names are in parentheses. Distinct features of the skull that are self-explanatory (e.g., postorbital process of the frontal) are not described in the text unless clarification is required. Cranial nerves and digits are referred to by Roman numerals.},

keywords = {bottlenose dolphin, dolphin, dolphins, osteology, stranded, tursiops truncatus},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) recorded off Sri Lanka, India, from the Arabian Sea and Gulf, Gulf of Aden and from the Red Sea },

author = {De Silva,P.H.D.H..},

year  = {1987},

date = {1987-01-01},

journal = {Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society},

volume = {84 },

number = {357},

pages = {505-525},

abstract = {Cetacea is a highly specialized oceanic group of mammals with several of its species undertaking long migrations, often exceeding thousand miles during a single journey. During these migrations from cold polar and subpolar seas to warmer tropical and subtropical waters and their return to polar seas in summer both individual and mass strandings have very often occurred in many parts of the world, including Sri Lanka, India and the Arabian Gulf. The Cetacean records dealt with in this paper are of countries which lie at the extreme southern margin of the vast land mass of Asia with no land other than a few islands and vast stretches of the Indian Ocean between them and the Antarctica. Sri Lanka, in view of her geographic position at the southern extremity of this vast land mass (5ø 55' and 9§51'N latitude and 79§41' and 81§ 54' E longitude) has become a passing point in the movement of oceanic species including the larger whales. It has been suggested by Deraniyagala (1945, 1960b) that the movement of larger species towards the tropics from the southern temperate zone is partly associated with the periodic influx of Antarctic water toward the tropics. It is however, now fairly established that several larger species such as the Blue whale, the Fin whale and the Humpback whale show a regular migratory cycle. The majority of strandings recorded in this paper deal with individual strandings. Nevertheless there have been instances of both mass stranding and of apparent suicidal behaviour. This paper deals with 30 Cetacean species from the region. Of these records, records from Sri Lanka total 23 species, from India 24 species, from Pakistan 17 species, from the Gulf of Oman 10 species, from the Arabian Gulf 9 species, from the Gulf of Aden 6 species and from the Red Sea 7 species. Reference is also made to a skull of Delphinus tropicalis van Bree in the Colombo Museum (Skull No. 15 B) which appears to be its first record from Sri Lanka. Mention is also made of a specimen of Neophocaena phocaenoides (G. Cuvier) collected from the Wadge Bank by the Smithsonian Carangid Survey Team in March 1970 and of two incomplete skeletons of Balaenoptera physalus (Linn‚) (probably mother and calf) in the Zoological Museum, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All these specimens were identified by me. It is evident from this study that our present knowledge of the Cetacean fauna of the Indian Ocean is far from complete and that much could be accomplished by scientific institutions in the countries in the region by diligently maintaining proper records of sightings and strandings (with photographs) and by undertaking joint study surveys. It is gratifying to note that Sri Lanka, in recent years has been making much headway in this regard. During the last few years the Tulip Expedition led by Dr. Hal Whitehead has been studying the larger whales, especially the larger whales off the east coast and Dr. Stephen Leatherwood Of Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute (Marine Science), San Diego, California has recently published (1985) a summary of available information on the Cetacea of the Indian Ocean Cetacean Sanctuary on behalf of the National Aquatic Resources Agency for Sri Lanka. It is hoped that the present paper will further stimulate interest among the scientific institutions in the region and help to increase our knowledge of a group of remarkable animals at least as far as the species which inhabit and visit our seas.has become a passing point in the movement of oceanic species including the larger whales. It has been suggested by Deraniyagala (1945, 1960b) that the movement of larger species towards the tropics from the southern temperate zone is partly associated with the periodic influx of Antarctic water toward the tropics. It is however, now fairly established that several larger species such as the Blue whale, the Fin whale and the Humpback whale show a regular migratory cycle. The majority of strandings recorded in this paper deal with individual strandings. Nevertheless there have been instances of both mass stranding and of apparent suicidal behaviour. This paper deals with 30 Cetacean species from the region. Of these records, records from Sri Lanka total 23 species, from India 24 species, from Pakistan 17 species, from the Gulf of Oman 10 species, from the Arabian Gulf 9 species, from the Gulf of Aden 6 species and from the Red Sea 7 species. Reference is also made to a skull of Delphinus tropicalis van Bree in the Colombo Museum (Skull No. 15 B) which appears to be its first record from Sri Lanka. Mention is also made of a specimen of Neophocaena phocaenoides (G. Cuvier) collected from the Wadge Bank by the Smithsonian Carangid Survey Team in March 1970 and of two incomplete skeletons of Balaenoptera physalus (Linn‚) (probably mother and calf) in the Zoological Museum, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All these specimens were identified by me. It is evident from this study that our present knowledge of the Cetacean fauna of the Indian Ocean is far from complete and that much could be accomplished by scientific institutions in the countries in the region by diligently maintaining proper records of sightings and strandings (with photographs) and by undertaking joint study surveys. It is gratifying to note that Sri Lanka, in recent years has been making much headway in this regard. During the last few years the Tulip Expedition led by Dr. Hal Whitehead has been studying the larger whales, especially the larger whales off the east coast and Dr. Stephen Leatherwood Of Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute (Marine Science), San Diego, California has recently published (1985) a summary of available information on the Cetacea of the Indian Ocean Cetacean Sanctuary on behalf of the National Aquatic Resources Agency for Sri Lanka. It is hoped that the present paper will further stimulate interest among the scientific institutions in the region and help to increase our knowledge of a group of remarkable animals at least as far as the species which inhabit and visit our seas. A key to the identification of the species recorded from the region is given in Appendix. },

keywords = {Antarctic, Arabia, Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, behaviour, Blue whale, cetacea, cetacean, cetaceans, Delphinus tropicalis, dolphin, dolphins, fin whale, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Humpback Whale, India, Indian Ocean, mammals, marine, migration, Neophocaena phocaenoides, Oceanic, Oman, Pakistan, Porpoise, Red Sea, sanctuaries, skull, Sri Lanka, stranding, Strandings, survey, whale, whales},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}