Abstract

The long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) is a widely distributed cetacean that is commonly involved in strandings around the globe. In Chile, some events of this type have been reported, but there is scarce information on this. This report describes the largest recent massive stranding occurred in Southern Chile (Clemente Island). As a result of two expeditions (July and August 2016), a total of 124 stranded individuals were recorded. Seventy-eight were subjected to biological (internal and external) and molecular examinations (confirmation of the species and sex). The carcasses were found at an advanced stage of decomposition (category 4 and 5), so it is presumed that the stranding occurred between March and April 2016. The average total length of the stranded animals was 4.06 ± 0.83 m, and mostly adult and juvenile cetaceans were recorded. Sex composition of this stranding appears to be skewed to the males. Finally, we performed the first molecular record of this species on the coast of South America. Our results provide important biological data of a little known marine mammal and stresses the importance of a rapid response when investigating cetacean strandings.