Distribution of short- and long-beaked common dolphin morphs (Delphinus spp.) based on skull rostrum index analysis along the Peruvian and Chilean coast

Abstract

The distribution of the long-beaked and short-beaked common dolphin morphs in the eastern South Pacific is not well defined. The objective of this study was to propose a potential distribution of the two forms along the coast of Peru and part of Chile based on the rostral index obtained from the ratio of rostral length and zygomatic width. This phenotypic criterion was implemented in skulls deposited in museum collections in Peru and Chile. Based on classification, we were able to determine the distribution of each morphotype considering the collection location. A total of 44 skulls were analyzed, three of which did not have collection location. The results show that both forms of the common dolphins were distributed along the coast of Peru, but only the short-beaked common dolphin occurred in Chile. A larger number of short-beaked specimens were detected, especially in northern Peru. It was remarkable that the long-beaked was less common than expected since it is usually sighted in neritic waters. Around the 13° S latitude degrees seems to be an overlapping area with specimens of the two forms. Our study provides an analysis of the distribution of the two forms of common dolphins by implementing a discrimination index developed for North Pacific populations. Some patterns of segregation were observed, but this should be contrasted with a larger number of skulls and the application of other phenotypic criteria specific to the South Pacific.