Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
http://goo.gl/xAfYI - The Commerson's dolphin is also known as the Skunk Dolphin, Piebald Dolphin and Panda Dolphin. - Visit us: http://goo.gl/ZkZz7Facebook: http://facebook.com/bioexpeditionTwitter: http://twitter.com/bioexpeditionYoutube: http://youtube.com/bioexpeditionPinterest: http://pinterest.com/bioexpedition
Citation preview
COMMERSON’S DOLPHINCephalorhynchus Commersonii
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Anatomy
✤ It has a black head, dorsal fin, and fluke, with a white throat and body
✤ Commerson's dolphins exhibit sexual dimorphism, as the female is typically larger than the male.
✤ They are able to move their head in most directions.
✤ This dolphin average 3.9-5.6 ft. and weigh up to 190 lb.
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Commerson's Dolphin
✤ Also known as the
✤ Skunk Dolphin
✤ Piebald Dolphin
✤ Panda Dolphin
✤ The Commerson's dolphin is one of 36 members of the Delphinidae family.
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Anatomy
✤ Blood circulation in the pectoral flippers adjusts to help maintain body temperature.
✤ Glands at the inner corners of the eye sockets secrete an oil that lubricates the eyes
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Anatomy
✤ They have approximately 29 to 30 pairs of pointed teeth in the upper and lower jaws.
✤ The rostrum and mandible are long and robust and the melon is small and flacid
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Habitat
✤ Most sightings are in the coastal regions near the mouths of bays and estuaries.
✤ There are two populations separated by 130° of longitude, or 8,500 km.
✤ The larger population is found in the Strait of Magellan and near the Falkland Islands
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Behavior
✤ Commerson's Dolphins are very active and very fast swimmers.
✤ They are typically found alone or in small groups and on rare occasions have been observed in groups of 100 or more individuals.
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Behavior
✤ The majority of sightings occurred when the dolphins approached boats
✤ They are considered playful swimmers and often swim on their back
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Habitat
✤ They live in cold shallow waters, with temperatures ranging from 1˚ C to 16˚ C
✤ They prefer waters less than 656 ft. deep
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Feeding
✤ Commerson’s Dolphins consume many types of fishes, krill, squid, cuttlefish, crab and shrimp.
✤ These dolphins are primarily carnivores but are often opportunistic coastal feeders.
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Feeding
✤ Commerson's dolphins are sometimes seen feeding alone, but they are commonly observed cooperatively feeding.
✤ An adult eat about 10% of their body weight in food daily.
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Reproduction
✤ Males reach sexual maturity at between 6-9 years and females between 5 and 9 years.
✤ Gestation period is about 12 months.
✤ The calves are born in the austral spring and early summer.
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Reproduction
✤ The calf range from 0.5 to 0.75 m in length and weigh 4.5 to 7.3 kg.
✤ Commerson's dolphins generally live less than 10 years in the wild and around 18 years in captivity.
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Threats
✤ Natural predators may include killer whales, sharks and even leopard seals.
✤ The Commerson's dolphin is the cetacean species most frequently taken in fishing nets off the coast of southern South America.
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Threats
✤ Some pollutants enter the ocean food chain and become concentrated in the bodies of Commerson's dolphins and other marine predators.
✤ The IUCN lists Commerson's Dolphin as Data Deficient in its Red List of Threatened Species
✤ About two dozen Commerson's Dolphins live in aquariums around the world
BIOEXPEDITION.COM
Find us...
✤ Copyright© Bioexpedition.com 2012
BioExpedition.com
Facebook.com/bioexpedition
Twitter.com/bioexpedition
Youtube.com/bioexpedition
Pinterest.com/bioexpedition
Dolphins-world.com
