Killer whale (Orcinus orca) predation on dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) in Kaikoura, New Zealand
Citation
Constantine R, Visser I, Buurman D, Buurman R, McFadden B (2024). Killer whale (Orcinus orca) predation on dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) in Kaikoura, New Zealand. Southwestern Pacific Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) Node. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/gfeaph accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-13.Description
Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are known to prey on a wide variety of marine mammal species, including large and small cetaceans, as well as pinnipeds (Jefferson et al. 1991). No well-documented records of killer whales feeding on dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) have been reported in the literature. Wursig and Wursig (1980) reported one second-hand account of pre-dation on dusky dolphins off Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. Accounts of killer whales preying on other species in the genus Lagenorhynchus are also infrequent (Dahlheim and Towel1 1994), especially given that these animals are both regularly observed in similar habitats. We present accounts of four killer whales preying on dusky dolphins over a period of 11 d off Kaikoura, New Zealand (42°25'S, 173°42'E).Sampling Description
Study Extent
Kaikoura, New ZealandSampling
The attacks by killer whales reported here were observed during research surveys and commercial swim-with-wild-dolphin tours operating out of Kaikoura.Method steps
- During four days, between 4 and 14 November 1995, four adult killer whales (two males and two females) were observed to chase, and on seven occasions kill, dusky dolphins (Table 1). The four killer whales involved were first photo identified in the Kaikoura area in 1988 using their saddle patches and nicks on their dorsal fins. They have been photo identified near Kaikoura on a number of occasions since then. The animals are referred to in this report by their catalog numbers: NZ 39 (female), NZ 40 (male), NZ 41 (male), and NZ 42 (female).
Additional info
marine, harvested by iOBISTaxonomic Coverages
Killer whales and dusky dolphins
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Orcinus orcacommon name: Killer whale rank: species
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Lagenorhynchus obscuruscommon name: Dusky dolphin rank: species
Geographic Coverages
Kaikoura, New Zealand
Bibliographic Citations
- Constantine, R., Visser, I., Buurman, D., Buurman, R. and McFadden, B. (1998), KILLER WHALE (ORCINUS ORCA) PREDATION ON DUSKY DOLPHINS (LAGENORHYNCHUS OBSCURUS) IN KAIKOURA, NEW ZEALAND. Marine Mammal Science, 14: 324-330. - https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-7692.1998.tb00721.x
Contacts
Rochelle Constantineoriginator
position: Researcher
School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland
NZ
Ingrid Visser
originator
position: Researcher
School of Environmental and Marine Sciences, University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland
NZ
Dennis Buurman
originator
position: Researcher
Dolphin Encounter
68 West End
Kaikoura
NZ
Rik Buurman
originator
position: Researcher
Dolphin Encounter
68 West End
Kaikoura
NZ
Brent McFadden
originator
position: Researcher
New Zealand Sea Adventures
Beach Road
Kaikoura
NZ
Rochelle Constantine
metadata author
position: Researcher
School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland
NZ
Kevin Mackay
user
email: kevin.mackay@niwa.co.nz
Rochelle Constantine
administrative point of contact
position: Researcher
School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland
NZ