Yeliz Doğanyılmaz ÖZBİLGİN, Ebrucan KALECİK, Ali Cemal GÜCÜ

First Record of Humpback Dolphins in Mersin Bay, the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey

Two to four humpback dolphins were first time observed at two occasions on 3 February and 25 April 2016 on Turkishcoastal waters of the Northeast Mediterranean. They were recorded by under-water cameras while feeding on fish escapingfrom experimental demersal trawl during two separate operations conducted on shallow waters. Although the quality of thefootage was quite good, the individuals could only be identified at genus level. When the distribution ranges of the genus andrecent enlargement of the Suez Channel are considered, the individuals are most likely of the strays of Indian Oceanhumpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea).

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