Cetal Fauna 16 (2007) 1–10
CF16/0704/C
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Cetal Fauna
Occasional Communication
© 2007
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A succinct annotated list of the marine mammals
of southeast Queensland waters
P.J. Garbett‡
‡ cetalfauna@hotmail.com
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Abstract
Marine mammal fauna of southeast Queensland (SEQ) are comprised of three key groups. Order Sirenia is represented
by the dugong Dugong dugon (Muller, 1776), the Cetacea are symbolized by a diversity of whales and dolphins, whilst
extralimital seals and sea-lions reveal the presence of Pinnipedia. None of the taxa from the latter category can realistically
be referred to as resident in the study area, vagrants only from southern populations occasionally entering the region.
Several authors have discussed marine mammals in the region of SEQ, some briefly touching on the topic whilst others
have intentionally focused directly on certain taxa or groups of taxa that are known from the area. Few publications deal
specifically with the non-resident taxa. Most of the resident species however, are covered in the work of noted specialists
such as Lanyon (2003) and Marsh et al. (2002) (sirenia), and Chilvers (2000), Corkeron (1990), Hale et al. (1998), Lear
and Bryden (1980), and Paterson et al. (1993) (cetacea). The purpose of this paper is to deliver a comprehensive listing of
the marine mammal fauna known from SEQ (both recently and historically), an area which, for the purposes of this study,
includes regions of environmental significance such as the Moreton Bay Marine Park (MBMP) and Hervey Bay Marine
Park (HBMP). In addition to those for which confirmed records exist, some taxa have been embraced that as yet have not
been documented from the region, but which might conceivably be expected to occur there. The latter have been based on
records from ‘nearby’ waters, or where it can be predicted with a reasonable level of confidence that SEQ waters form part
of their range.
Dedicated to each of the taxa is a brief summary, the prime function of which is to corroborate the presence in SEQ of
that taxon. Available records verify forty (40) taxa within the study area. Eleven (11) other species are categorised as
‘possible residents or visitors’. Except for three pinniped taxa (the crabeater seal, southern elephant seal, and Australian sea
lion), the remainder of these are little known beaked whales of the family Ziphiidae and the recently described Omura’s
whale, discussed within the context of possible residents or visitors.
It is not within the scope of this document to expand on the biology of the taxa yet it is hoped that the content in the
form in which it is presented may be of some worth to those charged with an administrative role in conservation, as well as
providing helpful data for students of the natural sciences.
Keywords: annotated list - marine mammals - southeast Queensland (SEQ) - Moreton Bay Marine Park (MBMP)
- Hervey Bay Marine Park (HBMP)
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Study area and methods
The northern and southern boundaries of the study area are defined as 24°42’S and 28°10’S respectively, or
Sandy Cape at the northern extremity of Fraser Island, and Point Danger at Tweed Heads on the state border between
Queensland (Qld) and New South Wales (NSW). A conceptual line some 370 kilometres (200 nautical miles) distant
and parallel to the coastline denotes the eastern boundary and coincides with the outer limits of the Australian
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It is within this zone that cetaceans are ptotected by the 1981 Whale Protection
Act. Queensland state waters cease at a distance of 5.556 kilometres (3 nautical miles) from shore.

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Table 1.
List of marine mammals recorded in southeast Queensland waters.
dugong Dugong dugon (Muller, 1776)
southern right whale Eubalaena australis (Desmoulins, 1822)
dwarf minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata ssp.
southern minke whale Balaenoptera bonaerensis Burmeister, 1867
southern sei whale Balaenoptera borealis schlegelii (Flower, 1865)
pygmy Bryde’s whale Balaenoptera edeni Anderson, 1878
common Bryde’s whale Balaenoptera brydei Olsen, 1912
pygmy blue whale Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda Ichihara, 1966
Antarctic blue whale Balaenoptera musculus intermedia (Burmeister, 1871)
southern fin whale Balaenoptera physalus quoyi (Fischer, 1829)
humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae australis (Lesson, 1828)
longbeak common dolphin Delphinus capensis Gray, 1828
shortbeak common dolphin Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, 1758
pygmy killer whale Feresa attenuata (Gray, 1874)
southern shortfin pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus macrorhynchus (Gray, 1846)
southern longfin pilot whale Globicephala melas edwardii (Smith, 1834)
Risso’s dolphin Grampus griseus (G.Cuvier, 1812)
Fraser’s dolphin Lagenodelphis hosei Fraser, 1956
snubfin dolphin Orcaella heinsohni Beasley, Robertson and Arnold, 2005
orca Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758)
melonhead whale Peponocephala electra (Gray, 1846)
false killer whale Pseudorca crassidens (Owen, 1846)
dusky dolphin Sagmatias obscurus (Lesson and Garnot, 1826)
white dolphin Sousa queenslandensis Gaskin, 1972
pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata (Gray, 1846)
striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833)
southwest Pacific spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris longirostris (Gray, 1828)
roughtooth dolphin Steno bredanensis (G.Cuvier in Lesson, 1828)
Indopacific bottlenose dolphin Tursiops aduncus (Ehrenberg, 1832)
common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus truncatus (Montagu, 1821)
pygmy sperm whale Kogia breviceps (de Blainville, 1838)
dwarf sperm whale Kogia sima (Owen, 1866)
sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758)
de Blainville’s beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris (de Blainville, 1817)
Gray’s beaked whale Mesoplodon grayi von Hast, 1876
Cuvier’s beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris G.Cuvier, 1823
New Zealand fur seal Arctocephalus forsteri (Lesson, 1828)
Australian fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus (Schreber, 1776)
subantarctic fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis (Gray, 1872)
leopard seal Hydrurga leptonyx (de Blainville, 1820)
There are only so many data one can accumulate as a result of what genuinely is entirely one’s own humble work.
The content herein is largely the product of the assembly of results achieved by respected authorities. Data have been
obtained from a variety of resources which are recognised in the ‘Acknowledgements’ section, in addition to those
cited sources in the ‘References’ segment.
With the exception perhaps of the most recent of publications, many of the data pertaining to certain taxa have
been affected in some way or other by the increase in taxonomic revisions in recent years. Viewing of the
systematics and taxonomy of many levels of taxa from different perspectives is a consequence of DNA sequencing
and genetic research in general terms.
The taxa summarized below are arranged within three fundamental sections. The first contains a single species
representing the sirenians. The second assortment, the cetaceans, is divided into two groups, the mysticetes (baleen
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whales) and odontocetes (toothed whales). Due to the larger number of taxa involved and in the interest of
maintaining order cetaceans are further segregated by family. None of the pinnipeds (seals) that comprise the third
series of taxa are resident in the study area.
One or more of several taxa not yet recorded from SEQ despite their known presence in nearby regions may well
occur within the study area. The majority of these are the seldom-seen beaked whales. Their typical habitat is oceanic
and there is evidence that they favour nutrient-rich upwellings surrounding sea mounts. Such an area is located
offshore of the southern section of the study area and may provide ideal conditions for a few beaked whale taxa. A
number of such species known from waters near to SEQ conclude the summary as ‘Possible residents or visitors’.
Sirenians
Dugongidae – dugong
The DUGONG Dugong dugon (Muller, 1776) is without doubt one of the most familiar marine mammals in Qld.
Its presence is well known in quieter sheltered waters where its diet of sea grass is readily available, e.g. in Hervey
Bay, and particularly in Moreton Bay. There it has been the subject of many research projects for decades, such as
those conducted by Hodgson (2004) and Lanyon (2003), inter alia. The occurrence of this species in the region is so
well known by both scientists and the laity that it requires virtually no corroboration.
Cetaceans
MYSTICETES
Balaenidae – right whale
Vagrant SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALES Eubalaena australis (Desmoulins, 1822) have been the subjects of a small but
seemingly increasing number of extralimital records in waters of SEQ and adjacent areas in recent years (Brigden,
2001; Chilvers, 2000; Noad, 2000). Indeed, during the preparation of this paper an adult and calf were observed in
Hervey Bay (W.Franklin, personal observation, August 2006) one week prior to being reported in Byron Bay
(A.Oosterman, personal communication). Nevertheless, they are not common in such low latitudes.
Balaenopteridae – rorquals
Several baleen whales in the family Balaenopteridae are known from the study area. Without doubt the most
frequently encountered of these is the DWARF MINKE WHALE Balaenoptera acutorostrata ssp., a lesser form in fact of
the parent species B.a.acutorostrata (Lacepede, 1804). It is not an overly uncommon sight within the confines of the
study area (Paterson, 1994).
Whilst it is not unknown in SEQ waters, the Antarctic or SOUTHERN MINKE WHALE Balaenoptera bonaerensis
Burmeister, 1867, is observed less frequently at lower latitudes. Accordingly, the species is not commonplace in the
study area.
In 1828 Lesson described the sei whale Balaenoptera borealis yet it is the larger SOUTHERN SEI WHALE
Balaenoptera borealis schlegelii (Flower, 1865) that inhabits Australian waters. Although not often seen, there are
records of the subspecies from several Australian states, including of course Queensland (Qld), reflecting its known
widespread distribution (Bannister et al. 1996).
Commanding views such as those provided by Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island are afforded the
dedicated observer as PYGMY BRYDE’S WHALES Balaenoptera edeni (Anderson, 1879) pass by from time to time.
They have been recorded feeding among vast fish shoals close to shore beneath the vantage point which is so popular
with whale watchers and researchers from around the globe.
Genetically, the COMMON BRYDE’S WHALE Balaenoptera brydei is more closely related to the sei whale than it is
to the pygmy Bryde’s variety. Chilvers et al. (2005:567) cited Paterson’s personal observations from Moreton and
North Stradbroke Islands for this species.
The blue whale Balaenoptera musculus Linnaeus, 1758 is represented in SEQ largely by the PYGMY BLUE WHALE
B.m.brevicauda Ichihara, 1966. Of the two subspecies known from Australian waters it is this form which is more
likely to be encountered in the study area.
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The so-called ‘true’ blue whale, or ANTARCTIC BLUE WHALE B.m.intermedia (Burmeister, 1871), is less common
than the pygmy blue whale in Australian waters. The overlap that is known to occur between the two forms in some
parts of their geographic range allows for the presence of both in SEQ.
FIG. 1 fin whales Balaenoptera physalus (Linnaeus, 1758), although
present in the study area are rarely observed (photo: R.Rigg)
Seventy years after the first scientific reference to fin whales was made by Linnaeus in his tenth edition of
Systema Naturae of 1758, a Falkland Islands specimen formed the basis for the description of a SOUTHERN FIN
WHALE Balaenoptera physalus quoyi (Fischer, 1829). Larger than their northern counterpart, southern fin whales are
widespread. Their presence has been recorded in all Australian states, yet not from the Northern Territory.
Its numbers increasing since the cessation of commercial whaling in Australia, the HUMPBACK WHALE Megaptera
novaeangliae (Borowski, 1781) is becoming a more familiar seasonal visitor to the study area. Although humpback
whale populations of the northern and southern hemispheres have been distinguished at the subspecific level, few
authors employ the distinction (Reeves et al., 2004; Smith, 2001) yet for the record the subspecies depicted in Table
1 was proposed by Lesson (1828:372). During the southbound component of their migration significant numbers find
their way into HBMP, and to a lesser extent, MBMP. Substantial research on humpback whales in the study area has
been published (Krutzikowsky et al., 1989; Noad and Cato, 2001; Paterson et al., 1994) and whale watching
enterprises throughout much of SEQ have commenced as a result of the abundance of these animals during the
migration season.
ODONTOCETES
Delphinidae – dolphins
LONGBEAK COMMON DOLPHINS Delphinus capensis Gray, 1828 frequent SEQ waters (Davie et al., 1998) and
several decades ago specimens targeted for oceanarium display were collected due east from Letitia Spit (adjacent to
the study area southern boundary) (J.Strano, personal communication 1972).
SHORTBEAK COMMON DOLPHIN Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, 1758. the possibility exists that one or more of the
SEQ records for this widespread species may represent the preceding taxon Delphinus capensis which is known from
the study area. Some specimens occur with cranial features common to both longbeak and shortbeak forms (Ross in
Menkhorst and Knight, 2004). Both species inhabitant SEQ waters, the range of the shortbeak form extending well
beyond the continental slope.
The earliest record for the PYGMY KILLER WHALE Feresa attenuata (Gray, 1874) on the east coast of Australia
was from Byron Bay (Garbett, 1994) and a concentration of stranding events involving the species including one just
four minutes (4’) south of the study area (Bryden, 1976; J.Evans, personal communication, 1973) suggested that a
high probability existed for their occurrence in SEQ. Several initially unidentified delphinids that came ashore on
Fraser Island in 2002 were all but one (a calf which perished) successfully refloated. The calf was subsequently
confirmed as this species. Typically, they inhabit pelagic waters quite some distance from land. They have been
observed from high vantage points on oceanic islands such as Norfolk Island at 29°S, 167°55’E (A.Oosterman,
personal observation, 2004).
SHORTFIN PILOT WHALE Globicephala macrorhynchus macrorhynchus (Gray, 1846) records are spread
throughout the study area - Fraser Island, Alexandra Headland and North Stradbroke Island’s main beach (Garbett,
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1994; Paterson, 1986). It is uncommon for shortfin and longfin pilot whales to be sympatric, but records reveal that
the southern section of SEQ is susceptible to such overlap.
LONGFIN PILOT WHALES Globicephala melas edwardii (Smith, 1834) are credited with one of the earliest
documented strandings for the Moreton Bay region. In 1926, an incident occurred at Point Lookout on North
Stradbroke Island (Garbett, 1994). The author has examined the cranial remains in the Queensland Museum
collections (access no. J4480).
The occurrence of RISSO’S DOLPHIN Grampus griseus (G.Cuvier, 1812) in SEQ is reported by Corkeron and
Bryden (1992), Garbett (1994), and Paterson (1994). Its typical habitat is usually beyond the one hundred fathom
contour but strandings have been documented within the study area, extending well into NSW. The distinctively
marked delphinids have been observed in shelf waters east of the Southport Seaway (A.Oosterman, personal
observation, c.1996).
First described only a half a century ago from skeletal remains, until 1971 scientists were unfamiliar with the
external appearance of FRASER’S DOLPHIN Lagenodelphis hosei Fraser, 1956. In Australia it is known predominantly
from a number of strandings on eastern shores. Indeed, the world’s first record of an adult specimen is reported to be
from the Coffs Harbour vicinity only circa two degrees of latitude south (2°S) of the study area. Bryden and Barry
(1980) documented the first stranding in Qld which occurred on Fraser Island in 1976.
The normal southern limit of the newly described AUSTRALIAN SNUBFIN DOLPHIN Orcaella heinsohni Beasley,
Robertson and Arnold, 2005 is virtually at the northern-most latitude of the study area. However, Paterson et al.
(1998) report a specimen found dead in the Brisbane River (c.2.5° latitude further south). At the time the latter
authors referred the species to O.brevirostris. The comprehensive taxonomic review of Beasley and colleagues
demonstrating the differences between the Asian and Australian populations was of course not yet complete.
The killer whale or ORCA Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758) is not a common sight in SEQ waters. In fact the
population in Australian waters may be less than earlier estimations suggested (Ross, 2006). Nonetheless, there
seems to be an increase in the number of observations coinciding with the migration of humpback whales. In 1999
orcas were seen apparently attacking humpback whales in the study area (Paterson and Paterson, 2001).
On numerous occasions in SEQ waters MELON HEADED WHALES Peponocephala electra (Gray, 1846) have been
observed. These gregarious delphinids that typically maintain their existence well out to sea, infrequently enter large
embayments such as Hervey Bay and Moreton Bay. A mass stranding of 53 animals occurred thirty years ago on
Moreton Island (Garbett, 1994). A number of osteological samples were recovered and are maintained at the Qld
Museum.
Throughout the world FALSE KILLER WHALES Pseudorca crassidens (Owen, 1846) are notorious for mass
strandings. Australia has experienced its share of these devastating events, one of which occurred in the aftermath of
a cyclone in the Gulf of Carpentaria (Garbett, 1994). The species is encountered irregularly at sea in the study area
and the occasional stranding incident corroborates their certain presence. To the south of the study area they have
been observed from shore and followed northward by a research vessel between Skennars Head 28°50’S and
Brunswick 28°32’S (A.Oosterman, personal communication, 2006). In SEQ false killer whales have stranded singly
near Urangan, near Yidney Rocks on Fraser Island, and at Tallebudgera.
More than a quarter of a century ago, the decomposing carcass of a DUSKY DOLPHIN Sagmatias obscurus (Lesson
and Garnot, 1826) was beach cast at 28°10’S (Anon., 1997; Garbett, 1994; G.Bedford, personal communication,
1992). To those oceanaria personnel in attendance it was considered something of a conundrum given that the nearest
record of the species was from Sydney’s northern beaches two years earlier (Llewellyn et al. 1994). Although the
specimen is considered itinerant and extremely unlikely to be observed in the region under normal oceanographic
conditions, some evidence suggests that the taxon may roam long distances (Gill et al., 2000).
WHITE DOLPHINS Sousa queenslandensis (Gaskin, 1972) were formerly referred to in the vernacular as
Indopacific humpback dolphins, something of a misnomer as this taxon lacks the conspicuous dorsal hump possessed
by some of its congeners. The work of a number of authors such as Corkeron (1990), Garbett and Garbett (1997) and
Van Parijs and Corkeron (2001) inter alia, have focused on this taxon in SEQ waters. Chilvers et al. (2005) referred
to the taxon as resident and abundant in the region of Moreton Bay.
The PANTROPICAL SPOTTED DOLPHIN Stenella attenuata (Gray, 1846) is abundant in some areas of its widespread
range and whilst certainly present in the study area little is known of their local numbers. Garbett (1994) documented
the stranding of a male specimen which had negotiated the Gold Coast seaway before coming ashore in the
broadwater adjacent to Sea World. The species has been observed riding the stern wave of the Sea World research
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vessel east of the Southport Seaway (A.Oosterman, personal observation, c.1996) and Chilvers et al. (2005) citing
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service records, reported a Moreton Island stranding event from 2000.
STRIPED DOLPHINS Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833) are not frequently observed at sea in the study area.
Alerting us of their presence however, are sporadic strandings on Australia’s east coast, including one on Moreton
Island. Garbett (1994) reported that a striped dolphin and a Risso’s dolphin were both found stranded on the same
day virtually on the same stretch of beach as each other.
The SPINNER DOLPHIN Stenella longirostris (Gray, 1828) is represented in the Queensland Museum by the skull
(access number JM7300) of a strandling from near Tangalooma on Moreton Island. Obviously this verifies their
presence in SEQ but they don’t appear to be commonplace in the study area. Further north in Qld waters spinner
dolphins are a more regular sight, especially in the central and northern sections of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR).
Ross (2006) mentioned the similarity in size between the spinner dolphins of the latter region and the dwarf spinner
dolphin S.l.roseiventris (Wagner, 1846) which has been recorded from Torres Strait and various Indo-Australian seas
westward to the Gulf of Thailand.
ROUGHTOOTH DOLPHINS Steno bredanensis (G.Cuvier in Lesson, 1828) have been reported from Western
Australia across the north of the continent down to the southern NSW coast. Garbett (in prep.) discusses the pair of
these unusual delphinids that stranded on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane and were released at sea by Sea
World following weeks of recuperation. Haines et al. (1999) documented the remains of a roughtooth dolphin found
ashore in an advanced state of decomposition in the vicinity of Hervey Bay towards the northern limit of the study
area.
INDOPACIFIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS Tursiops aduncus (Ehrenberg, 1832) are familiar to surfers and those who
visit the beach, as the inshore ecotype, which is notably more slender, shorter and less robust than the variety that
lives in deeper offshore waters. The taxon is recognised in some of the literature as one of the more plentiful and
often encountered. Chilvers et al. (2005) referred to the species as resident and abundant in Moreton Bay.
The COSMOPOLITAN BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), widespread on essentially a
global scale, inhabits the deeper waters of the study area further offshore. Nonetheless, there exists a certain amount
of geographical overlap with the inshore T.aduncus. Indeed, individuals exhibiting characteristics of both ecotypes
are not uncommon and in the past have been collected for the oceanarium industry. In contrast with its inshore
relative, T.truncatus is generally a larger, more robust animal, often darker, with a shorter rostrum, less teeth and
different in its anatomy and genetics. As a result of taxonomic alterations in recent years (i.e. the full specific status
afforded T.aduncus), many records of sightings and strandings as well as much of the literature that refers to
T.truncatus actually pertains to T.aduncus.
Kogiidae – diminutive sperm whales
PYGMY SPERM WHALES Kogia breviceps (de Blainville, 1838) are rarely observed at sea but are known in all
states including within the study area, from infrequent stranding events. The species tends to range further offshore
than its congener the dwarf sperm whale, although both have a penchant for deep waters far from land. Less than
conspicuous in their demeanor both members of the genus are extremely difficult to observe.
The DWARF SPERM WHALE Kogia sima (Owen, 1866) is in a state of taxonomic flux. It is likely that genetic work
will result in either an additional species in the genus or a number of subspecies of dwarf sperm whales (Reeves et
al., 2004). Until recently the taxon was known as K.simus but Rice (1998) corrected the specific epithet to reflect the
feminine gender of the generic term. It is nevertheless rarely encountered and although its nearest confirmed
occurrence is apparently Coffs Harbour where two separate stranding incidents have taken place (Smith, 2001), it is
likely to frequent the study area albeit well offshore.
Physeteridae – sperm whale
Largest of the toothed whales the SPERM WHALE Physeter macrocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758), sometimes
erroneously referred to in the literature by the binomial P.catodon has been documented in the study area by various
authors, including Chilvers et al. (2005) and Menkhorst and Knight (2004). The taxon is notorious for mass stranding
throughout much of its cosmopolitan range, and historical records confirm that such an incident has occurred within
the study area.
Ziphiidae – beaked whales
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The most vigilant eye will have difficulty locating DE BLAINVILLE’S BEAKED WHALE Mesoplodon densirostris (de
Blainville, 1817) or any of its ziphiid relatives such is their secretive pelagic existence. Of the numerous beaked
whale taxa this is one of the few confirmed in SEQ waters (Ross, 2006).
The deep oceanic waters of SEQ are frequented by GRAY’S BEAKED WHALE Mesoplodon grayi von Hast, 1876
(Gill and Burke, 2004), a rather unique looking species, at least where beaked whales are concerned. Evidently they
are distributed widely in mostly cool temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere. The taxon possesses a prominent
long whitish rostrum which is often presented above the water on surfacing (Jefferson et al. 1993).
CUVIER’S BEAKED WHALE Ziphius cavirostris G.Cuvier, 1823 has been documented as a strandling in the region
immediately to the north of the study area (Limpus et al., 2003); not surprising given the widespread distribution on
a global scale (Anon., 1997; Reeves et al., 2002; Taylor, 1984) for which this taxon is known.
Pinnipeds
The NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL Arctocephalus forsteri (Lesson, 1828), like all the pinnipeds that occur in the study
area, is represented in SEQ waters by vagrants. In 1973 Tweed Heads oceanarium personnel (J.Evans and P.J.G.)
retrieved a very young male from a crevice in a breakwater at Kirra. More recent events have confirmed the species
from as far north as Fraser Island (Bryden et al., 1998; Menkhorst and Knight, 2004).
The AUSTRALIAN FUR SEAL Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus (Schreber, 1776) is not an uncommon sight at a
number of locations in southern NSW, in particular Montagu Island. Smith (2001) documented the taxon venturing
to the southern extremity of the study area and Limpus et al. (2003) subsequently reported an individual that was
found a short distance to the north of the study area.
Menkhorst and Knight (2004) verified that the SUBANTARCTIC FUR SEAL Arctocephalus tropicalis (Gray, 1872)
has visited SEQ waters. Bryden et al. (1998) reported an itinerant from North Stradbroke Island but one vagrant has
ventured as far north as Mackay (Haines et al., 1999).
K.Haynes-Lovell (personal communication, 2001) recounted that the LEOPARD SEAL Hydrurga leptonyx (de
Blainville, 1820) is apparently not averse to undertaking marathon journeys. In fact Shaughnessy (1999) reported the
taxon on Heron Island at the Tropic of Capricorn, north of the study area.
Possible residents or visitors
Nearest stranding of a STRAP-TOOTHED WHALE Mesoplodon layardii (Gray, 1865) is apparently Byron Bay in
NSW Smith (2001). The species is known however, in Qld waters. Although members of the ziphiid family in
general are by no means easily located, both this taxon and the preceding one, in beaked whale terms, are arguably
more likely to be encountered than most of the remaining ‘possible residents or visitors’.
GINKGO-TOOTHED BEAKED WHALES Mesoplodon ginkgodens Nishiwaki and Kamiya, 1958 may not necessarily
have been recorded in the study area, but are reported from other waters of the eastern mainland states. They are
known from scattered locations in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and it seems feasible that their range might include
the study area (Ross et al., 2006).
ANDREWS’ BEAKED WHALES M.bowdoini Andrews, 1908 (so often misrepresented as Andrew’s – Roy Chapman
Andrews was a former director of the American Museum of Natural History) have a known preference for cooler
waters, hence it is unlikely to occur in the study area under normal circumstances. The closest record is evidently
from the mid-NSW coast (Smith, 2001).
The type skull of the TROPICAL BOTTLENOSE WHALE Indopacetus pacificus (Longman, 1926) is from Qld waters
(Mackay, c.21°S). Until recent years the taxon was known only from two skulls, and whilst much remains to be
learned regarding all aspects of Indopacetus, it does not seem unrealistic to predict its range may include SEQ
waters.
One of the newly described species in the genus, the PYGMY BEAKED WHALE Mesoplodon peruvianus Reyes,
Mead, and Van Waerebeek, 1991 has been recorded in the waters of Peru, the eastern tropical Pacific, the southern
Gulf of California, and more recently New Zealand. Its known range is therefore moderately widespread in the
Pacific at least, and with no apparent preference for water temperature extremes, there is potential for this, the
smallest of the beaked whales (to 370cm), to occur within the study area or in adjacent waters.
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ARNOUX’S BEAKED WHALE Berardius arnuxii Duvernoy, 1851 has not been documented in or near the study area.
Paterson and Parker (1994) documented numerous observations of large beaked whales, provisionally identified as
B.arnuxii, off southern NSW over the continental slope and beyond in the Tasman Sea’s deeper oceanic waters.
Some authors theorize that seasonal migrations for breeding may result in them visiting tropical or at least sub-
tropical waters. Such movements may deliver them through SEQ waters.
The type specimen of the SOUTHERN BOTTLENOSE WHALE Hyperoodon planifrons Flower, 1882 was found near
20°S (Western Australia) demonstrating that the taxon is not entirely restricted to cold waters as the remaining
records for the species tend to suggest. The closest known record to SEQ is seaward of North Solitary Island in
northern NSW at circa 30°S, a relatively insignificant distance from the study area.
Though as yet little is known of the recently-described OMURA’S WHALE Balaenoptera omurai Wada et al., 2003
it is not unrealistic to suggest that this member of the Bryde’s whale complex may ultimately be found in SEQ waters
or adjacent regions. It has been recorded from the Solomon Sea to Australia’s northeast.
CRABEATER SEALS Lobodon carcinophaga (Hombron and Jacquinot, 1842), whilst apparently not recorded from
SEQ, have ventured at least as far north as Nambucca Heads in northern NSW.
SOUTHERN ELEPHANT SEALS Mirounga leonina Gray, 1827 are not normally known from north of Sydney yet a
little known record exists from Coffs Harbour.
AUSTRALIAN SEA LIONS Neophoca cinerea (Peron, 1816) have recently been recorded on the NSW north coast
(Bryden et al., 1998) but until then vagrants north of Sydney were unheard of.
Acknowledgements
For personal communications to the author gratitude is expressed to the late David H.Brown, the late Jack Evans,
and the late Robert Paterson, as well as Guy Bedford, Rob Clapp, Kerrie Haynes-Lovell, Trevor Long, Steve Van
Dyck, Adrian Oosterman and Merv Whicker. I hereby express my appreciation to two anonymous referees for
constructive comments on the manuscript. Addenda, errata, and general comments are welcome and should be
addressed to the correspondence address provided.
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FIG. 2 Representation of study area and its
location on Australia’s Pacific coast.
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