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Two Presumed Interspecific Hybrids in the Genus Stenella (Delphinidae) in the Tropical West Atlantic |
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Abstract: We describe and comment on two aberrant individuals of the genus Stenella from Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, tropical West Atlantic, which we regard as interspecific hybrids. Each dolphin was found living with a large group of spinner dolphins, Stenella longirostris. One of the aberrant dolphins is a presumed hybrid between S. longirostris and S. attenuata, and the second one is possibly a hybrid between S. longirostris and S. clymene. Each of the hybrids was accompanied by a spinner female. The S. longirostris × S. attenuata was first sighted as a calf and was re-sighted several times over two years. This individual was recorded being nursed by the female. The other hybrid was re-sighted a few times over three months.
Key Words: STENELLA LONGIROSTRIS; STENELLA ATTENUATA; STENELLA CLYMENE; CETACEA; SIMILAR HABITS; HYBRIDIZATION
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1578/AM.31.4.2005.468
Page Numbers: 468 - 472
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