First record of the interaction between Isistius sp. (Elasmobranchii: Dalatiidae) and Balaenoptera physalus (Mysticeti: Balaenopteridae) in Venezuelan waters

Abstract

The stranding of an adult male Balaenoptera physalus (Mysticeti: Balaenopteridae) in Los Cocoteros Beach in Margarita Island, Venezuela, gave the chance of studying the interactions present in it. 33 injuries were found in several points of rorqual tegument; oval or rounded in shape, like craters, from 5 to 7 cm long, 5 to 6 cm wide, and 3 to 5 cm deep. Most of them, were fresh. Wounds were attributed to the cookie cutter shark Isistius sp. (Elasmobranchii: Dalatiidae), given the remarkable correspondences. The present note
constitutes the first known association between the cookie cutter shark and the fin whale in Venezuelan, Caribbean and western Atlantic waters.