Atlantic humpback dolphin

Atlantic humpbacked dolphin
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Artiodactyla
Infraorder:Cetacea
Family:Delphinidae
Genus:Sousa
Species: S. teuszii
Binomial name
Sousa teuszii
(Kükenthal, 1892)
Range of Atlantic humpback dolphin

The Atlantic humpbacked dolphin (Sousa teuszii) is a species of humpback dolphin that is found in coastal areas of West Africa.

It is regarded as critically endangered by the IUCN.[1]

Description

Apart from its geographical range, it is distinguishable from other humpback dolphins by its amount of vertebrae (e.g. one less than the Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin) and its number of teeth (26 to 31 pairs).[2]

Birth weight – at least 22 lb (10 kg)

Adult weight – 550-630 lb (250–285 kg) [3]

Behavior

This species is known to be shy, it doesn’t bow-ride, and aerial displays are rarely seen. The groups usually range from 1-8 animals, but gatherings of up to 20-40 animal have been observed. In Angola, some individuals appear to exhibit high site fidelity and strong association patterns. When identifying, look for robust body with well-defined rostrum. Typically, slate gray on the back and sides, fading to light gray ventrally. The dorsal fin is small, slightly falcate, and triangular, and sits on a distinctive and well developed dorsal hump.[3]

Range and Habitat

This species is endemic to the tropical to subtropical west coast of Africa in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from the western Sahara to Angola. It is mainly found in shallow coastal and estuarine waters, usually less than 66 ft (20 m) deep.[3]

Food and Foraging

Groups generally forage close to shore in shallow waters and often within the surf zone. They appear to feed mainly on inshore schooling fish such as mullet. These dolphins tend to feed in small bays, sheltered waters behind reef-breaks and areas off dry river mouths, while traveling occurs mainly along exposed coastlines.[3]

Interaction with humans

The Atlantic humpback dolphin is known to engage in cooperative fishing with Mauritanian Imraguen fishermen, by driving fish towards the shore and into their nets.[4][2] Incidental capture in gill nets is considered their greatest threat followed by directed takes, habitat loss and degradation, overfishing, marine pollution, anthropogenic sound, and climate change.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Sousa teuszii (Atlantic Hump-backed Dolphin, Atlantic Humpbacked Dolphin, Cameroon Dolphin, Cameroon River Dolphin, Teusz's Dolphin)". www.iucnredlist.org.
  2. 1 2 "Atlantic Humpbacked Dolphin - Sousa teuszii - Details - Encyclopedia of Life". Encyclopedia of Life.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Berta, Annalisa, editor. Whales, Dolphins & Porpoises: A Natural History and Species Guide. University of Chicago Press, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Atlantic humpback dolphin".
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