Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals

Jaguar predation on Araguaian river dolphins: Material evidence and likely contexts for increased interactions

Leandro Silveira — 2026-04-30

First confirmed case of neonatal fraternal twin humpback whales in the Mexican Pacific Distinct Population Segment

Astrid Frisch-Jordán — 2026-04-30

Insights into sex- and age-related feeding habits of the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) in Southern Brazil

Gabriela Inácio da Silva I. — 2026-04-30

New sighting of Arnoux's beaked whale (Berardius arnuxii) at the inshore locality of Paradise Bay, West Antarctic Peninsula

Manuel Novillo — 2026-04-30

First documented record of cookie-cutter shark (Isistius spp.) bite marks on a killer whale (Orcinus orca) in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean

Julio D. Loureiro — 2026-04-30

A threefold increase in documented cetacean diversity in the Windward Dutch Caribbean

Lucas Bernier — 2026-04-30

Cetacean diversity in the Windward Dutch Caribbean remains poorly known, with only six species previously reported in its waters. By contrast, cetacean diversity is well documented in neighbouring islands, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, as well as in parts of the Lesser Antilles, where 23 species are known to occur. Based on 40 days of systematic boat-based surveys conducted over five years, supplemented by opportunistic sightings, we update the information of cetacean diversity within the Exclusive Economic Zones of Saba, St. Maarten, and St. Eustatius. Each record was individually reviewed, and first-time species reports were validated through photographic evidence or confirmation by researchers with recognized expertise. A total of 124 cetacean sightings were recorded, documenting 17 species in the Windward Dutch Caribbean. These findings demonstrate that this previously understudied area harbors a cetacean diversity comparable to that of neighboring Antillean islands and provide new insights into coastal cetacean distribution in the region. This work establishes a baseline for future research and conservation planning around these islands and across the broader Northern Lesser Antilles.

Spatial analysis of habitat loss for the endangered marine otter Lontra felina (Molina, 1782) in Peru

María F. Sánchez — 2026-04-30

Urban development in coastal cities is highly threatening for marine coastal wildlife, especially endangered species like the marine otter Lontra felina, whose habitat is restricted to coastal rocky areas along the coast of Peru and Chile. In this work, we determine the habitat loss through the use of remote sensors along the coast of Lima, the capital of Peru with a high number of inhabitants and a nearly uncontrolled urban growth. We evaluated three localities: Punta Corrientes, Pucusana, and Ancón using satellite images for two different years: 2016 vs. 2023. The analysis of potential habitat and habitat loss followed the CORINE Land Cover technical guide adapted to Peru. Two algorithms for land classification were tested, SVM and Random Forest. Both had Kappa values over 0.60; however, SVM had the best precision on pixel classification. Among the categories analyzed, “rocky outcrops” showed a reduction in all the three areas but in Ancón and Pucusana there was over 20% of loss. On the contrary, the category “continuous urban fabric” increased over 23% in Ancón and 13.55% in Pucusana. The change in land cover and use was statistically significant in Ancón (p < 0.005; χ2 = 8.0302, df = 3). The loss of “rocky outcrops” has a statistically significant change for all the localities (p < 0.005; χ2 = 6.229, df = 2). Our results provide evidence that the coastline is changing in Ancón and Pucusana. The physical reduction of coastline is critical for marine otters, since their activity is limited to the rocky shoreline, both marine and terrestrial. Marine otters inhabit all of the three locations, however, the main modification occurs in Ancón and Pucusana; the loss of the available habitat would involve both habitat loss and reduction of habitat quality.

Editorial

Miriam Marmontel — 2026-04-30