First confirmed record of the rough-toothed dolphin in Ecuadorian mainland waters
Abstract
We report the first confirmed occurrence of a rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis) in mainland waters of Ecuador. The species is widely distributed in the Eastern Pacific but is rare south of the equator and even around the Galápagos Islands, where only a handful of records exist. A group of approximately 30 dolphins was observed about 12 km west of the Bajo Copé (01°46’ S, 81°10’ W), in waters over 500 m deep with a pronounced slope. The species was identified based on external coloration including a narrow black cape along the dorsal area, the head shape, a long whitish snout, and a tall dorsal fin. We recommend increasing pelagic monitoring off the Ecuadorian coast during different seasons to improve our knowledge of the cetacean fauna.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Marine animal studies overview
Cephalopods and Marine Biology
Turtle Biology and Conservation
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Mammalia aequatorialis
- Publisher
- Asociación Ecuatoriana de Mastozoología
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 143–150
- Publication date
- 10 January 2026