Journal Article
Melanistic southern right‐whale dolphins ( Lissodelphis peronii ) off Kaikoura, New Zealand, with records of other anomalously all‐black cetaceans
Ingrid N. Visser; Dagmar Fertl; L. Todd Pusser
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research · Vol. 38, Issue 5 · pp. 833-836 · 2004
Abstract
Reports of anomalously pigmented cetaceans, including melanistic (all‐black) individuals are infrequent. We observed four melanistic southern right‐whale dolphins ( Lissodelphis peronii ) including a calf, off Kaikoura (42°34'S, 173°50'E), New Zealand. We also compiled records of melanistic individuals from five other species of cetaceans. The ecological context of melanistic pigmentation of cetaceans is not well understood; however, it may increase heat absorption, affect ability to capture prey, impair visual/social communication, and/or increase conspicuousness to predators.