An opportunistic encounter with a pod of Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus Gray, 1846) in the Lakshadweep archipelago

Abstract

Observations of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in the wild are relatively infrequent. This study reports an opportunistic live sighting recorded on 12 February 2024 in the Lakshadweep Islands of the southeastern Arabian Sea, based on vessel-based visual observations conducted aboard FORV Sagar Sampada. The sightings occurred (10°43′74ʺ N; 73°27′35ʺ E), a small pod of six individuals, each approximately 3 m in length at 1800 m depth. Environmental conditions at the sighting location were evaluated using both on-field and satellitesourced datasets. Sea surface temperatures (SST) ranged between 29 and 31.5 °C, while salinity values indicated moderately stable oceanic conditions. Chlorophyll concentrations were relatively low, signifying oligotrophic surface waters during the observation period. These environmental characteristics may influence prey availability and influence the habitat use by short-finned pilot whales in the southeastern Arabian Sea.