A First Report on the Presence of Epibiotic Fauna on Orcas (Family: Delphinidae) in Costa Rica
Keywords:
Xenobalanus globicipitis, Remora australis, ecological dynamics, killer whales, keystone speciesAbstract
Interactions between cetaceans and their epibiotic fauna provide valuable insights into ecological dynamics, helping us understand ecosystem responses to climate change and species displacement. Data from the Orcas en Costa Rica project (1997-2024) were analyzed, the number of orcas with barnacles and remoras, and their specific body parts involved were determined. Orcas were classified by sex and age (male, female, juvenile, or calf), and the species of barnacles and remoras presented were identified. Among observed orcas, 25% had attached barnacles or remoras, with no adult males presenting barnacle associations. In 2022, 36% of reports indicated epibiosis, suggesting potential impacts of global warming on orca populations. This is the first report of epibiotic fauna on orcas in Costa Rica, establishing a baseline for using cetacean-epibiont interactions as bioindicators of environmental health, enhancing our understanding of ecosystem responses.
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