Presence of Delphinus capensis and Delphinus delphis (Cetacea: Delphinidae) in Uruguay.

The taxonomy and distribution patterns of the common dolphins (genus Delphinus) are problematic among cetaceans and particularly complicated in the south-western Atlantic Ocean. On the basis of national collections, we found ten adult skulls of the genus Delphinus of Uruguayan origin. The two currently recognized species for the genus were identified based on craniometric measurements: the pelagic short beaked form (Delphinus delphis, N = 3) and the coastal long beaked form (Delphinus capensis, N = 4), although previous studies only recognized D. capensis for Uruguay. Three specimens could not be identified (Delphinus sp.) because of broken skull (2) and intermediate measures (1). This result is consistent with a recent review on the biogeography of the genus in the south-western Atlantic Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]