First confirmed stranding of a fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

SAN MARTÍN ANALÍA A.; PASO VIOLA MARÍA NATALIA; RICCIALDELLI LUCIANA; TORRES MÓNICA; DELLABIANCA NATALIA A.

POLAR BIOLOGY

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2021 vol. 44 p. 1737 - 1744

0722-4060

Fin whales (Balaenopteraphysalus) can be found worldwide, in oceanic waters, though are rarelyfound incoastal areas of wide and shallow continental platforms such asthose in the western South Atlantic Ocean. Here we report the first confirmedstranding of a B. physalus off the Atlantic coast of TDF, in July(austral winter) of 2016. In addition, a bibliographic review of the strandingsof this species was carried out on the Argentinian coasts and especiallyon Tierra del Fuego (TDF). The animal was fresh when it was found and may havebeen alive at the moment of the stranding. The specimen was a physicallyimmature female with a total length 15.8 m. No injuries or fishing gear wasobserved to suggest accidental entanglement or vessel collision. The specimen?sstomachs were empty except for a low-grade infestation with the trematode Ogmogasterantarcticus, but without any associated macroscopic gastric pathology.Although the necropsywas carried out within a few hours of death, we could not make anaccurate diagnosis of the cause of death.However, theinsufficient fat deposits indicate suppose a bad physical condition and mayhave contributed to its stranding and subsequent death. This specimen represents thefirst confirmed stranding of the species in TDF.