Braulik,G.,Ranjbar,S.,Owfi,F.,Aminrad,T.,Dakhteh,S.M.H.,Kamrani,E.,Mohsenizadeh,F.
Marine Mammal Records from Iran Journal Article
In: Journal of Cetacean Research and Management, vol. 11, no. 334, pp. 49-63, 2010.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: 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
@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}
}
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.
Lento,G.M.,Dalebout,M.L.,Baker,C.S.
Species and individual identification of whale and dolphin products for sale in Japan by mtDNA sequences and nuclear microsatellite profiles Technical Report
no. 399, 1998.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Atlantic, baleen whale, baleen whales, beaked whales, developing, DNA, dolphin, dolphins, fin whale, Japan, Microsatellite, minke whale, mtDNA, North Atlantic, Oman, population, Porpoise, pygmy sperm whale, Southern Hemisphere, sperm whale, stocks, survey, whale, whales, whaling
@techreport{,
title = {Species and individual identification of whale and dolphin products for sale in Japan by mtDNA sequences and nuclear microsatellite profiles },
author = {Lento,G.M.,Dalebout,M.L.,Baker,C.S.},
year = {1998},
date = {1998-01-01},
volume = {SC/50/O8},
number = {399},
pages = {1-12},
abstract = {We report on species and individual identification of whale and dolphin products available on commercial markets of Japan in 1997/98 based on analysis of mitochondria) DNA (mtDNA) sequences and microsatellite variation. The total sample of 74 products included four species of baleen whales, the fin (n=4), sei (n=1), northern minke (n=15) and southern minke (n=39) whales. The remaining 15 samples included dolphins (n = 8; at least four species), Baird's beaked whales (n=5), a porpoise (n=1), and a pygmy sperm whale (n=1), all sold as "kujira" in Japan. It is noted that two new species, the sei whale, and the pygmy sperm whale, appeared for the first time in this series of market surveys. With the inclusion of the sei whale, a total of eight species of baleen whale have been found for sale in post-moratorium surveys of markets in Korea and Japan. Comparison of the sei whale mtDNA to reference sequences from the North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere suggested that this product originated from the Southern Hemisphere. The last legal hunting of this population was in 1979-80. To investigate the stock origins of northern minke whale products sold in Japan, in 1997-98, the mtDNA haplotypes of these products were compared to those found previously in Korea, 1994-97 (Lento et al. 1998). This comparison revealed that four (33%) of the 12 haplotypes among the Japanese products were identical to those from Korea. This is not consistent with the hypothesis that northern minke whale products sold in Japan originate exclusively from the scientific hunting of a stock that is genetically distinct from the Korean coastal bycatch. Instead, these findings could suggest that whales from both stocks are being hunted illegally or that whale products are being smuggled between the two countries. To further investigate the possibility of smuggling and to estimate the total number of individual whales represented in commercial products, we are developing protocols for DNA profiling using microsatellite loci. Based on preliminary analysis of three loci, the four fin whale products, representing three mtDNA haplotypes, were shown to have originated from four individuals. The 15 northern minke whale products found in 1997-98, representing 12 mtDNA haplotypes, were shown to have originated from a minimum of 14 individuals. One of these products that shared a haplotype with a 1997 product, was also shown to be unique.},
keywords = {Atlantic, baleen whale, baleen whales, beaked whales, developing, DNA, dolphin, dolphins, fin whale, Japan, Microsatellite, minke whale, mtDNA, North Atlantic, Oman, population, Porpoise, pygmy sperm whale, Southern Hemisphere, sperm whale, stocks, survey, whale, whales, whaling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
We report on species and individual identification of whale and dolphin products available on commercial markets of Japan in 1997/98 based on analysis of mitochondria) DNA (mtDNA) sequences and microsatellite variation. The total sample of 74 products included four species of baleen whales, the fin (n=4), sei (n=1), northern minke (n=15) and southern minke (n=39) whales. The remaining 15 samples included dolphins (n = 8; at least four species), Baird's beaked whales (n=5), a porpoise (n=1), and a pygmy sperm whale (n=1), all sold as "kujira" in Japan. It is noted that two new species, the sei whale, and the pygmy sperm whale, appeared for the first time in this series of market surveys. With the inclusion of the sei whale, a total of eight species of baleen whale have been found for sale in post-moratorium surveys of markets in Korea and Japan. Comparison of the sei whale mtDNA to reference sequences from the North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere suggested that this product originated from the Southern Hemisphere. The last legal hunting of this population was in 1979-80. To investigate the stock origins of northern minke whale products sold in Japan, in 1997-98, the mtDNA haplotypes of these products were compared to those found previously in Korea, 1994-97 (Lento et al. 1998). This comparison revealed that four (33%) of the 12 haplotypes among the Japanese products were identical to those from Korea. This is not consistent with the hypothesis that northern minke whale products sold in Japan originate exclusively from the scientific hunting of a stock that is genetically distinct from the Korean coastal bycatch. Instead, these findings could suggest that whales from both stocks are being hunted illegally or that whale products are being smuggled between the two countries. To further investigate the possibility of smuggling and to estimate the total number of individual whales represented in commercial products, we are developing protocols for DNA profiling using microsatellite loci. Based on preliminary analysis of three loci, the four fin whale products, representing three mtDNA haplotypes, were shown to have originated from four individuals. The 15 northern minke whale products found in 1997-98, representing 12 mtDNA haplotypes, were shown to have originated from a minimum of 14 individuals. One of these products that shared a haplotype with a 1997 product, was also shown to be unique.
Alling,A.
A preliminary report of marine mammal fisheries in Djibouti, Oman and Sri Lanka Technical Report
no. 280, 1992.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arctic, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Fisheries, habitat, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, North Pacific, Oman, Porpoise, sanctuaries, skull, skulls, Sri Lanka, status, stomach contents, whale, whales
@techreport{,
title = {A preliminary report of marine mammal fisheries in Djibouti, Oman and Sri Lanka },
author = {Alling,A.},
year = {1992},
date = {1992-01-01},
volume = {694 },
number = {280},
pages = {1-10},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION During the 1982 and 1983 field seasons on Tulip, an effort was made to assess the status of small whale fisheries in Djibouti, Oman and Sri Lanka. In lieu of the fact that the World Wildlife Funds Indian Ocean Whale study still has one more year of field work, this preliminary report will only summarise our findings as of April, 1983. Officials and fisherman were contacted during port calls in 1982 to obtain information about local hunting and entrapment of cetaceans and members of the Tulip crew travelled to 9 harbours in Sri Lanka to interview fishermen. Dolphins seen in fish markets were measured, identified, stomach contents taken, and skulls collected for positive identification. In 1982 one fisherman on the west coast of Sri Lanka was asked to keep a daily log of all cetaceans entrapped or harpooned for a duration of one year. In 1983 we increased the number of harbours Monitored and four additional fishermen, three on the east coast and one on the west coast, were asked to keep these journals. A constant watch was kept at sea for all cetacean sightings. Species seen were identified using three identification guides: Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises of the Eastern North Pacific and Adjacent Arctic Waters (Leatherwood et al., 1982), Sea Guide to, Whales of the World (Watson, 1982), and A Field Guide to Whales and Dolphins (Captain Morzer Bruyns, 1971). When the identification was questionable, animals were photographed for confirmation of identity at a later date. },
keywords = {Arctic, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Fisheries, habitat, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, North Pacific, Oman, Porpoise, sanctuaries, skull, skulls, Sri Lanka, status, stomach contents, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
INTRODUCTION During the 1982 and 1983 field seasons on Tulip, an effort was made to assess the status of small whale fisheries in Djibouti, Oman and Sri Lanka. In lieu of the fact that the World Wildlife Funds Indian Ocean Whale study still has one more year of field work, this preliminary report will only summarise our findings as of April, 1983. Officials and fisherman were contacted during port calls in 1982 to obtain information about local hunting and entrapment of cetaceans and members of the Tulip crew travelled to 9 harbours in Sri Lanka to interview fishermen. Dolphins seen in fish markets were measured, identified, stomach contents taken, and skulls collected for positive identification. In 1982 one fisherman on the west coast of Sri Lanka was asked to keep a daily log of all cetaceans entrapped or harpooned for a duration of one year. In 1983 we increased the number of harbours Monitored and four additional fishermen, three on the east coast and one on the west coast, were asked to keep these journals. A constant watch was kept at sea for all cetacean sightings. Species seen were identified using three identification guides: Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises of the Eastern North Pacific and Adjacent Arctic Waters (Leatherwood et al., 1982), Sea Guide to, Whales of the World (Watson, 1982), and A Field Guide to Whales and Dolphins (Captain Morzer Bruyns, 1971). When the identification was questionable, animals were photographed for confirmation of identity at a later date.
De Silva,P.H.D.H..
Cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) recorded off Sri Lanka, India, from the Arabian Sea and Gulf, Gulf of Aden and from the Red Sea Journal Article
In: Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, vol. 84 , no. 357, pp. 505-525, 1987.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: 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
@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}
}
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.