1 | Dipartimento di Biologia, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Edificio 7, via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli |
2 | Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60100 Ancona |
3 | Centro Studi Ecosistemi Mediterranei, Via Caracciolo, 84068 Pollica (Salerno), frazione Pioppi |
The stranding of a suckling calf of Common Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) on the coast near Salerno (Campania, Southern Italy) is reported. The molecular analysis of a partial sequence of the mitochondrial DNA control region shows that the animal bore a haplotype identical to haplotype Ba169 considered as typical of individuals from North Atlantic population. Historical data and our results suggest the possibility that the Mediterranean Sea might be a potential calving or nursery ground for this species.