Atlantic white-sided dolphin | |
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Size compared to an average human | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Infraorder: | Cetacea |
Family: | Delphinidae |
Genus: | Lagenorhynchus Gray, 1846 |
Species: | L. acutus |
Binomial name | |
Lagenorhynchus acutus (Gray, 1828) | |
Atlantic white-sided dolphin range |
The Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) is a distinctively coloured dolphin found in the cool to temperate waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.
The Atlantic white-sided dolphin is built slightly 'thicker' compared to other oceanic dolphins; they are nearly indistinguishable from the Pacific white-sided dolphin, despite the fact that they are only very distantly related phylogenetically. [3] At birth, calves measure just over a meter long; adult males grow to about 2.8 m (9.2 ft), and females to about 2.5 m (8.2 ft), [4] weighing between 180–230 kg (400- 510 lb) once fully grown. [4] Females reach sexual maturity between the ages of 6 and 12 years, and males between 7 and 11 years old. [5] [6] The gestation period is 11 months and lactation lasts for about 18 months — both typical figures for dolphins. [4] Atlantic white-sided dolphins are known to live for at least 17 years. [4]
The key distinguishing feature is the dolphin's coloration—a white to pale-yellow patch is found behind the dorsal fin on both sides of the body. [4] The white-sided dolphin's color variations are unique amongst the standard hues of white, grey, black and blue seen on other pelagic cetaceans. [4] Their body's coloration is well-demarcated, with the chin, throat and belly being white; the flippers, dorsal fin and back are dark-grey to black (with the exception of the yellow patch), and there is a further white patch below the dorsal fin (lying above a lighter, grayish stripe running from the beak, above the eye, down to the tail stock). [4]
Dolphin pod sizes vary by location, with groups averaging 60 in number having been seen close to the Newfoundland coastline, but somewhat smaller east of Iceland. [4] From the analysis of the stomach contents of stranded animals, fishes, such as herring and mackerel, and squid appear to be the species' main prey. [4] The Atlantic white-sided dolphin is fairly acrobatic, and keen to interact with boats; however, it is not as wildly gregarious as the white-beaked, bottlenose or common dolphins. [4]
The species is endemic to the northern Atlantic Ocean. [4] The distribution limits are the Norwegian Sea in the northeast, the Davis Strait in the northwest, coastal North Carolina in the southwest and the Celtic Sea in the southeast (with possible range extension south to the Azores). [4] Areas of particularly high population density include the shores of Newfoundland and Cape Cod, the triangular area of sea between the United Kingdom, Iceland and Greenland and the northern North Sea. [7] [8] [9] In 2008, sightings of Atlantic white-sided dolphins, as well as the melon-headed whale, were documented off South Carolina after a few strandings had taken place in the area at the time. [10] Along the North American east coast the species tends to occur in continental shelf waters, around 100m in depth, [11] and seem to show a preference toward areas of steep slopes and canyons. [12] [13] They are associated with the colder, slightly less saline waters in the northern Atlantic, compared to for example common dolphins that are found in warmer, slightly more saline waters of the North Atlantic, though it is unclear whether this is due to preferences or if these factors influence prey supply. [14] [15]
The diet of Atlantic white-sided dolphins mainly consists of herring, hake and squid. [4] However, as opportunistic carnivores, they consume a large variety of prey, including smaller mackerel and various bottom-dwelling fish. [4] They have been observed cooperatively hunting at the surface. [4] It has been suggested that larger groups split while feeding. [12]
Like all species of the dolphin family, Atlantic white-sided dolphins are very social animals, often traveling in large pods and displaying aerial behaviors as they travel. [16] The pod's size can vary, from several dozen to several hundred individuals, though the average size is around 50. [17] However, studies have shown there to be little familial relation between members of a group, appearing more as a social pod traveling for "safety in numbers". Researchers in different parts of their range have found that individuals were, mostly, unrelated to one another. [18] [19] Juveniles spend at least some time in separate social groups, away from their parents, prior to weaning. [4] Atlantic white-sided dolphins jump and breach more frequently when in larger groups, as this behaviour might have a social context. [16] They have a wide vocal repertoire which includes squeals, whistles, clicks and buzzes. [17] [20] It is suggested that vocalisation is used for communication as noise production increases during socialising. [20]
Despite being docile creatures, even known to interact with various species of cetacean in a nonviolent manner, most notably with the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), [21] they have also been known to display violent behavior towards harbor porpoises, attacking them until they eventually succumb to their wounds (a similar behavior as observed in bottlenose dolphins). [22] [23]
Atlantic white-sided dolphins do not undertake specific seasonal migration. [12] However, they do move within their home range following prey distribution. [12] For example, in the waters off eastern North America this species moves southwards in winter and spring. [4] [8]
Most of the calves are born around June and July. [4] The gestation period is 11 months and lactation around 18 months. [4] The birth interval varies between 1–3 years. [11]
Females reach sexual maturity around the age of 6–12 years. [5] Males reach sexual maturity around 7–11 years. [6] The reproduction is most likely seasonal, beginning in February, as some studies have identified dormant testes in some males. [6]
The Atlantic white-sided dolphin was named by John Edward Gray in 1828. The specific name acutus comes from the Latin for 'pointed' and refers to the sharply pointed dorsal fin. [4] It is traditionally placed in the genus Lagenorhynchus , but there is consistent molecular evidence that supports the Atlantic white-sided dolphin and the white-beaked dolphin as basal members of the family Delphinidae and not closely related. [3] It has therefore been proposed to move the Atlantic white-sided dolphin to its own genus, Leucopleurus. [24]
The estimations for the U.S. shelf and shelf-edge water suggest that the population size is about 300,000. [4] Additional 120,000 individuals have been estimated to spend summer in the Gulf of St.Lawrence. [4] In the eastern North America waters the numbers increase southwards in winter and spring in association with cold waters from the Gulf of Maine. [4] Two projects attempted to estimate the population trends - multinational Small Cetacean Abundance in the North Sea and Adjacent Waters (SCANS) survey project and the North Atlantic Sightings Survey (NASS). SCANS surveys, however, failed to produce species specific estimation as it combined both white-sided and white-beaked dolphins. NASS surveys did not indicate any population trends.
Historically, Atlantic white-sided dolphins were killed in drives conducted from Norway and Newfoundland. [25] These have ceased in recent years, although they still occur to a lesser extent from the Faroe Islands, where the meat and blubber are in high regard as food. [26] Reported catches in the years vary, though individual years suddenly stand out, such as in 2002, where the number reported killed was 773, [27] and in 2017, when 488 were killed. [26] In September 2021, a large pod of 1,428 animals was herded in Skálafjördur and killed. [28]
Year | No/yr | drive/yr | Year | No/yr | drive/yr | Year | No/yr | drive/yr | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1980 | 8 | 1 | 1993 | 377 | 6 | 2001 | 546 | 7 | ||
1983 | 10 | 1 | 1994 | 263 | 7 | 2002 | 773 | 10 | ||
1985 | 32 | 1 | 1995 | 157 | 4 | 2003 | 186 | 5 | ||
1986 | 185 | 4 | 1996 | 357 | 7 | 2004 | 333 | 5 | ||
1987 | 76 | 2 | 1997 | 350 | 10 | 2005 | 312 | 4 | ||
1988 | 603 | 4 | 1998 | 438 | 4 | 2006 | 622 | 8 | ||
1990 | 55 | 2 | 1998 | 438 | 4 | 2008 | 1 | 1 | ||
1992 | 47 | 3 | 2000 | 265 | 3 | 2009 | 171 | 5 |
Atlantic white-sided dolphins have also been killed in incidental catch situations in the fishing industry. Such occurrences have been reported in Canada, United States, United Kingdom and Ireland. [1] Between 1977 and 1988, 13 Atlantic white-sided dolphins were reported as being incidentally caught in the Northeastern United States by U.S fisheries observers, 11 of these in Mackerel fisheries. [29] They have also been reported to get caught in pelagic or near surface trawl or drift nets. [12] [17]
Anthropogenic underwater noise is a potential disturbance to Atlantic white-sided dolphins as they use sounds to communicate and catch prey. [20] A survey done in the UK showed that the sighting rate of Atlantic white-sided dolphins declines when airguns were firing compared to when they were not. [20]
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as PCBs and organochlorine pesticides (e.g. DDT, DDE) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants have been identified in body tissues of Atlantic white-sided dolphins throughout their range. [7] [30] [31] [32] Males had higher levels of PCBs suggesting that females pass some of the contamination to offspring during lactation[30]. Similarly to other species, studies have identified heavy metals in Atlantic white-sided dolphins including cadmium levels higher than in other dolphin species in southern latitudes. [33] The full effect of this contamination is currently unknown.
The International Union of the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies Atlantic white-sided dolphins as Least Concern. [1]
The North and Baltic Sea populations of the Atlantic white-sided dolphin are listed on Appendix II [34] of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). They are listed on Appendix II [34] as they have an unfavourable conservation status or would benefit significantly from international co-operation organised by tailored agreements. [35] These species of dolphin are known to fall victims to in a polluted environment, a study from 1997 confirmed that the British and Irish populations of Atlantic white-sided dolphins to succumb to these effects. [7] [36] [ clarification needed ]
In addition, the Atlantic white-sided dolphin is covered by the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS). [37]
The white-beaked dolphin is a marine mammal belonging to the family Delphinidae in the suborder Odontoceti.
The dusky dolphin is a dolphin found in coastal waters in the Southern Hemisphere. Its specific epithet is Latin for "dark" or "dim". It is very closely genetically related to the Pacific white-sided dolphin, but current scientific consensus holds they are distinct species. The dolphin's range is patchy, with major populations around South America, southwestern Africa, New Zealand, and various oceanic islands, with some sightings around southern Australia and Tasmania. The dusky dolphin prefers cool currents and inshore waters, but can also be found offshore. It feeds on a variety of fish and squid species and has flexible hunting tactics. The dusky dolphin is known for its remarkable acrobatics, having a number of aerial behaviours. The status of the dolphin is unknown, but it has been commonly caught in gill nets.
Blainville's beaked whale, or the dense-beaked whale, is believed to be the widest ranging mesoplodont whale. The French zoologist Henri de Blainville first described the species in 1817 from a small piece of jaw — the heaviest bone he had ever come across — which resulted in the name densirostris. Off the northeastern Bahamas, the animals are particularly well documented, and a photo identification project started sometime after 2002.
The short-finned pilot whale is one of the two species of cetaceans in the genus Globicephala, which it shares with the long-finned pilot whale. It is part of the oceanic dolphin family (Delphinidae).
Arnoux's beaked whale, also called the southern four-toothed whale, southern beaked whale, New Zealand beaked whale, southern giant bottlenose whale and southern porpoise whale is one of the species of Berardius. Arnoux's and Baird's beaked whales are so similar that researchers debated whether or not they are simply two populations of the same species, until genetic evidence and their wide geographical separation led them to be classified as separate. Little is known about their behavior due to infrequent encounters with live individuals.
The rough-toothed dolphin is a species of dolphin that can be found in deep warm and tropical waters around the world.
The false killer whale is a species of oceanic dolphin that is the only extant representative of the genus Pseudorca. It is found in oceans worldwide but mainly in tropical regions. It was first described in 1846 as a species of porpoise based on a skull, which was revised when the first carcasses were observed in 1861. The name "false killer whale" comes from having a skull similar to the orca, or killer whale.
The pygmy killer whale is a poorly known and rarely seen oceanic dolphin. It is the only species in the genus Feresa. It derives its common name from sharing some physical characteristics with the orca, also known as the killer whale. It is the smallest cetacean species that has the word "whale" in its common name. Although the species has been known to be extremely aggressive in captivity, this aggressive behavior has not been observed in the wild.
The melon-headed whale, also known less commonly as the electra dolphin, little killer whale, or many-toothed blackfish, is a toothed whale of the oceanic dolphin family (Delphinidae). The common name is derived from the head shape. Melon-headed whales are widely distributed throughout deep tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, but they are rarely encountered at sea. They are found near shore mostly around oceanic islands, such as Hawaii, French Polynesia, and the Philippines.
Lagenorhynchus is a genus of oceanic dolphins in the infraorder Cetacea, presently containing six extant species. However, there is consistent molecular evidence that the genus is polyphyletic and several of the species are likely to be moved to other genera. In addition, the extinct species Lagenorhynchus harmatuki is also classified in this genus.
The northern right whale dolphin is a small, slender species of cetacean found in the cold and temperate waters of the North Pacific Ocean. Lacking a dorsal fin, and appearing superficially porpoise-like, it is one of the two species of right whale dolphin.
The southern right whale dolphin is a small and slender species of cetacean, found in cool waters of the Southern Hemisphere. It is one of two species of right whale dolphin. This genus is characterized by the lack of a dorsal fin. The other species, the northern right whale dolphin, is found in deep oceans of the Northern Hemisphere and has a different pigmentation pattern than the southern right whale dolphin.
The hourglass dolphin is a small dolphin in the family Delphinidae that inhabits offshore Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters. It is commonly seen from ships crossing the Drake Passage but has a circumpolar distribution.
Peale's dolphin is a small dolphin found in the waters around Tierra del Fuego at the foot of South America. It is also commonly known as the black-chinned dolphin or even Peale's black-chinned dolphin. However, since Rice's work Peale's dolphin has been adopted as the standard common name.
The spinner dolphin is a small dolphin found in off-shore tropical waters around the world. It is famous for its acrobatic displays in which it rotates around its longitudinal axis as it leaps through the air. It is a member of the family Delphinidae of toothed whales.
The Pacific white-sided dolphin, also known as the hookfin porpoise, is an active dolphin found in the cool or temperate waters of the North Pacific Ocean.
Cetacean surfacing behaviour is a grouping of movement types that cetaceans make at the water's surface in addition to breathing. Cetaceans have developed and use surface behaviours for many functions such as display, feeding and communication. All regularly observed members of the order Cetacea, including whales, dolphins and porpoises, show a range of surfacing behaviours.
Sagmatias was a genus of dolphins, defined in 1866 by Edward Drinker Cope with Peale's dolphin as type species, described as Sagmatias amblodon. It has been proposed to resurrect the genus to include four species of oceanic dolphins currently classified in the genus Lagenorhynchus. Mitochondrial DNA studies have indicated that Pacific white-sided dolphin, Peale's dolphin, dusky dolphin and hourglass dolphin are more closely related to dolphins in the Lissodelphininae subfamily, than to the two other members of the genus: Atlantic white-sided dolphin and white-beaked dolphin. This phylogenetic relationship is further supported by cladistic analysis of morphological characters. However, resurrection of the genus Sagmatias has not been accepted by the Society for Marine Mammalogy's taxonomic Committee, because the finer details of the phylogenetic relationships between the four species in the proposed Sagmatias genus and the four species of dolphins in the genus Cephalorhynchus remains to be resolved. Genetic and bioacoustical evidence suggest that Peale's dolphin and hourglass dolphin are closer related to the Cephalorhynchus species than to the Pacific white-sided dolphin and dusky dolphin, which, if true, would make the genus Sagmatias paraphyletic.