Toninhas (Pontoporia blainvillei) strandings on the beaches of the central portion of the coast of the state of São Paulo, from 1997 to 2010 André Fabiano de Castro Vicente, Andrea Maranho, Ursulla Pereira Souza, Juliana Plácido Guimarães

Abstract

 From the 1990s onwards, the sampling of toninha (Pontoporia blainvillei) strandings in the Baixada Santista region, in the State of São Paulo (~23-24^oS), Brazil, was expanded. The data presented in this work refer to the period from 1997 to 2010, referring to the observation efforts of research groups that collected information from stranding events in the Baixada Santista that encompass the cities of Bertioga, Guarujá, Santos, São Vicente, Praia Grande, Mongaguá, Itanhaém and Peruíbe. 225 specimens were observed, but strandings were not constant throughout the year, being higher in the summer, winter and spring months. Puppies (N = 30) were reported between the spring and summer months. With the implementation of marine mammal observation efforts, it was possible to recover a high number of toninha specimens at different stages of life throughout the year. In addition to the local logistics that facilitate access to these specimens, the Baixada Santista region is an important area for the development of research with P. blainvillei.