Post by OldGreenVulture on Dec 3, 2019 12:52:28 GMT
Southern Right Whale Dolphin - Lissodelphis peronii.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Lissodelphis
Species: Lissodelphis peronii
1. Description
Right whale dolphins are easy to identify at sea because of their distinctive black and white colour and lack of dorsal fin. The southern right whale dolphin has a white ventral patch, which extends higher on the posterior flanks than in L. borealis. Its back is black, and the white area reaches a high point midway along the body, dipping down at the flipper insertion and covering most of the head and rostrum. Newborn calves are first brown or dark grey and attain adult coloration after the first year of life. Size reaches ca. 3 m, males growing larger than females, and body mass reaches up to 116 kg (Lipsky, 2002).
2. Distribution
The southern right-whale dolphin is circumpolar in the Subantarctic Zone, mainly between 40°S and 55°S. It ranges north to 25°S off São Paulo in Brazil, 23°S in the Benguela Current off Walvis Bay in Namibia, the Great Australian Bight, the Tasman Sea, the Chatham Islands, and 12°30'S in the Humboldt Current off Pucusana in Peru (Rice, 1998).
The distribution of this species is poorly known, though it appears to be circumpolar and fairly common throughout its range. Lissodelphis peronii remains almost exclusively in temperate waters, with most records from north of the Antarctic Convergence. It frequently follows the cold Humboldt Current into subtropical latitudes, as far north as 190S off northern Chile, though the northernmost record is 12°S off Peru. The southernmost limit of the range varies with sea temperatures from year to year. The species seems to be fairly common in the Falklands Current between Patagonia and the Falkland Islands and is believed to occur across the southern Indian Ocean following the West-wind Drift. L. peronii is seldom seen near land except in sufficiently deep water; however, it is known to occur in coastal waters off Chile and near New Zealand where water is deeper than 200m (Jefferson et al. 1994; Carwardine, 1995; Jefferson et al. 1993).
Distribution of Lissodelphis peronii: deep, cold temperate waters of the southern
hemisphere (mod. from Lipsky, 2002; ©CMS / GROMS).
3. Population size
Preliminary boat surveys and the rapid accumulation of stranding and fishery interaction records in northern Chile suggest that the southern right whale dolphin may be one of the most common cetaceans in this region (Jefferson et al. 1994 and refs. therein; van Waerebeek et al., 1991). Aguayo et al. (1998) report that L. peronii are very common between Valparaiso and 76°W, i.e. just off the Chilean coast.
4. Biology and Behaviour
Behaviour:
L. peronii often travels very fast in a series of long, low leaps: the overall impression is of a bouncing motion rather like a fast-swimming penguin. It sometimes swims slowly, causing little disturbance of the water and exposing only a small part of its head and dark back when surfacing to breathe. Breaching (but with no twisting or turning in the air), belly-flopping, side-slapping, and lobtailing have been observed. Dives may last 6 minutes or more. Some schools will allow close approach, but others flee from boats. Small groups will bow-ride on rare occasions (Carwardine, 1995).
Habitat:
Southern right whale dolphins are observed most often in cool, deep, offshore waters with temperatures of 1-20°C. They are sometimes seen nearshore, especially where deep water approaches the coast (Jefferson et al. 1994 and refs. therein).
Schooling:
Large schools are characteristic. Some estimates of group size range to over 1,000 animals. Associations with other marine mammal species are common, especially dusky dolphins and pilot whales (Jefferson et al. 1993). Mean herd size is 210 individuals for southern right whale dolphins off Chile (Van Waerebeek et al., 1991).
Food:
A variety of fish and squid have been reported as prey; lanternfish are especially common (Jefferson et al. 1993).
5. Migration
There is some suggestion of inshore and northward summer movements by southern right whale dolphins from sighting records off South Africa; however other authors suggested that southern right whale dolphins may be year-round residents off Namibia, southern Africa (Rose and Payne, 1991). Although the sample size is still small, north of 25°S off western South America more fresh specimens and sighting records have been registered in July-September than in all other months combined, suggesting a northern migration in the austral winter and spring (Jefferson et al. 1994 and refs. therein; van Waerebeek et al. 1991).
6. Threats
Direct catch:
Southern right whale dolphins are reportedly infrequently caught off the coasts of Peru and Chile, where they are used for human consumption or crab bait (Jefferson et al. 1994 and refs. therein).
Incidental catch:
They are known to be taken incidentally in driftnets along the coasts of Peru and Chile (Jefferson et al. 1993). Peddemors (1999) reports that L. peronii appears to be extremely localised in distribution within southern Africa, and any future planned expansion of commercial driftnet fisheries off Namibia should be carefully monitored for incidental catches which may impact this population.
7. Remarks
This is a poorly known species which seems to be threatened mainly by driftnet fisheries in Chilean and South African waters. Because no population estimates are available, mortality rates and their effect on the population are unknown. More research is clearly needed. For South American stocks, see further recommendations on in Hucke-Gaete (2000).
L. peronii is listed as "Data Defficient" by the IUCN. It is not listed by CMS .
Migrations along the coast of South America suggest that national boundaries might be crossed. Therefore, inclusion into CMS Appendix II is recommended. Range states in South America are Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, as well as the UK (Falkland / Malvinas Islands).
Further potential range states include South Africa, Namibia, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and France (Iles Kerguélen).
8. Sources
- Aguayo A, Bernal R, Olavarria C, Vallejos V, Hucke R (1998) Cetacean observations carried out between Valparaiso and Easter Island, Chile, in the winters of 1993, 1994 and 1995. Revista de Biologia Marina y Oceanografia 33 (1): 101 - 123
- Carwardine M (1995) Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises. Dorling Kindersley, London, UK, 257 pp.
- Carwardine M, Hoyt E, Fordyce RE, Gill P (2000) Wale Delphine und Tümmler. Könemann-Verlag, Köln, Germany
- Hucke-Gaete R ed. (2000) Review on the conservation status of small cetaceans in southern South America. UNEP/CMS Secretariat, Bonn, Germany, 24 pp.
- Jefferson TA, Leatherwood S, Webber MA (1993) FAO Species identification guide. Marine mammals of the world. UNEP / FAO, Rome, 320 pp.
- Jefferson TA, Newcomer MW, Leatherwood S, van Waerebeek K (1994) Right wale dolphins - Lissodelphis borealis (Peale, 1848) and Lissodelphis peronii (Lacépède, 1804) In: Handbook of Marine Mammals (Ridgway SH, Harrison SR eds.) Vol. 5: The first book of dolphins. Academic Pres, London, pp. 335 - 362.
- Lipsky JD (2002) Right whale dolphins - Lissodelphis borealis and L. peronii. In: Encyclopedia of marine mammals (Perrin WF, Würsig B, Thewissen JGM, eds.) Academic Press, San Diego, 1030-1033.
- Peddemors VM (1999) Delphinids of southern Africa: A review of their distribution, status and life history. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 1:157-165
- Rice DW (1998) Marine mammals of the world: systematics and distribution. Society for Marine Mammalogy, Special Publication Number 4 (Wartzok D, Ed.), Lawrence, KS. USA.
- Rose B, Payne AIL (1991) Occurrence and behavior of the southern right whale dolphin Lissodelphis peronii off Namibia. Marine Mammal Science 7(1): 25 - 34
- Van Waerebeek K, Canto J, Gonzalez J, Oporto J, Brito J L (1991) Southern right whale dolphins, Lissodelphis peronii off the Pacific coast of South America. Zeitschrift fuer Saeugetierkunde 56(5): 284 - 295
From Carnivora.
carnivora.net/southern-right-whale-dolphin-lissodelphis-peronii-t2820.html
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Lissodelphis
Species: Lissodelphis peronii
1. Description
Right whale dolphins are easy to identify at sea because of their distinctive black and white colour and lack of dorsal fin. The southern right whale dolphin has a white ventral patch, which extends higher on the posterior flanks than in L. borealis. Its back is black, and the white area reaches a high point midway along the body, dipping down at the flipper insertion and covering most of the head and rostrum. Newborn calves are first brown or dark grey and attain adult coloration after the first year of life. Size reaches ca. 3 m, males growing larger than females, and body mass reaches up to 116 kg (Lipsky, 2002).
2. Distribution
The southern right-whale dolphin is circumpolar in the Subantarctic Zone, mainly between 40°S and 55°S. It ranges north to 25°S off São Paulo in Brazil, 23°S in the Benguela Current off Walvis Bay in Namibia, the Great Australian Bight, the Tasman Sea, the Chatham Islands, and 12°30'S in the Humboldt Current off Pucusana in Peru (Rice, 1998).
The distribution of this species is poorly known, though it appears to be circumpolar and fairly common throughout its range. Lissodelphis peronii remains almost exclusively in temperate waters, with most records from north of the Antarctic Convergence. It frequently follows the cold Humboldt Current into subtropical latitudes, as far north as 190S off northern Chile, though the northernmost record is 12°S off Peru. The southernmost limit of the range varies with sea temperatures from year to year. The species seems to be fairly common in the Falklands Current between Patagonia and the Falkland Islands and is believed to occur across the southern Indian Ocean following the West-wind Drift. L. peronii is seldom seen near land except in sufficiently deep water; however, it is known to occur in coastal waters off Chile and near New Zealand where water is deeper than 200m (Jefferson et al. 1994; Carwardine, 1995; Jefferson et al. 1993).
Distribution of Lissodelphis peronii: deep, cold temperate waters of the southern
hemisphere (mod. from Lipsky, 2002; ©CMS / GROMS).
3. Population size
Preliminary boat surveys and the rapid accumulation of stranding and fishery interaction records in northern Chile suggest that the southern right whale dolphin may be one of the most common cetaceans in this region (Jefferson et al. 1994 and refs. therein; van Waerebeek et al., 1991). Aguayo et al. (1998) report that L. peronii are very common between Valparaiso and 76°W, i.e. just off the Chilean coast.
4. Biology and Behaviour
Behaviour:
L. peronii often travels very fast in a series of long, low leaps: the overall impression is of a bouncing motion rather like a fast-swimming penguin. It sometimes swims slowly, causing little disturbance of the water and exposing only a small part of its head and dark back when surfacing to breathe. Breaching (but with no twisting or turning in the air), belly-flopping, side-slapping, and lobtailing have been observed. Dives may last 6 minutes or more. Some schools will allow close approach, but others flee from boats. Small groups will bow-ride on rare occasions (Carwardine, 1995).
Habitat:
Southern right whale dolphins are observed most often in cool, deep, offshore waters with temperatures of 1-20°C. They are sometimes seen nearshore, especially where deep water approaches the coast (Jefferson et al. 1994 and refs. therein).
Schooling:
Large schools are characteristic. Some estimates of group size range to over 1,000 animals. Associations with other marine mammal species are common, especially dusky dolphins and pilot whales (Jefferson et al. 1993). Mean herd size is 210 individuals for southern right whale dolphins off Chile (Van Waerebeek et al., 1991).
Food:
A variety of fish and squid have been reported as prey; lanternfish are especially common (Jefferson et al. 1993).
5. Migration
There is some suggestion of inshore and northward summer movements by southern right whale dolphins from sighting records off South Africa; however other authors suggested that southern right whale dolphins may be year-round residents off Namibia, southern Africa (Rose and Payne, 1991). Although the sample size is still small, north of 25°S off western South America more fresh specimens and sighting records have been registered in July-September than in all other months combined, suggesting a northern migration in the austral winter and spring (Jefferson et al. 1994 and refs. therein; van Waerebeek et al. 1991).
6. Threats
Direct catch:
Southern right whale dolphins are reportedly infrequently caught off the coasts of Peru and Chile, where they are used for human consumption or crab bait (Jefferson et al. 1994 and refs. therein).
Incidental catch:
They are known to be taken incidentally in driftnets along the coasts of Peru and Chile (Jefferson et al. 1993). Peddemors (1999) reports that L. peronii appears to be extremely localised in distribution within southern Africa, and any future planned expansion of commercial driftnet fisheries off Namibia should be carefully monitored for incidental catches which may impact this population.
7. Remarks
This is a poorly known species which seems to be threatened mainly by driftnet fisheries in Chilean and South African waters. Because no population estimates are available, mortality rates and their effect on the population are unknown. More research is clearly needed. For South American stocks, see further recommendations on in Hucke-Gaete (2000).
L. peronii is listed as "Data Defficient" by the IUCN. It is not listed by CMS .
Migrations along the coast of South America suggest that national boundaries might be crossed. Therefore, inclusion into CMS Appendix II is recommended. Range states in South America are Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, as well as the UK (Falkland / Malvinas Islands).
Further potential range states include South Africa, Namibia, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and France (Iles Kerguélen).
8. Sources
- Aguayo A, Bernal R, Olavarria C, Vallejos V, Hucke R (1998) Cetacean observations carried out between Valparaiso and Easter Island, Chile, in the winters of 1993, 1994 and 1995. Revista de Biologia Marina y Oceanografia 33 (1): 101 - 123
- Carwardine M (1995) Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises. Dorling Kindersley, London, UK, 257 pp.
- Carwardine M, Hoyt E, Fordyce RE, Gill P (2000) Wale Delphine und Tümmler. Könemann-Verlag, Köln, Germany
- Hucke-Gaete R ed. (2000) Review on the conservation status of small cetaceans in southern South America. UNEP/CMS Secretariat, Bonn, Germany, 24 pp.
- Jefferson TA, Leatherwood S, Webber MA (1993) FAO Species identification guide. Marine mammals of the world. UNEP / FAO, Rome, 320 pp.
- Jefferson TA, Newcomer MW, Leatherwood S, van Waerebeek K (1994) Right wale dolphins - Lissodelphis borealis (Peale, 1848) and Lissodelphis peronii (Lacépède, 1804) In: Handbook of Marine Mammals (Ridgway SH, Harrison SR eds.) Vol. 5: The first book of dolphins. Academic Pres, London, pp. 335 - 362.
- Lipsky JD (2002) Right whale dolphins - Lissodelphis borealis and L. peronii. In: Encyclopedia of marine mammals (Perrin WF, Würsig B, Thewissen JGM, eds.) Academic Press, San Diego, 1030-1033.
- Peddemors VM (1999) Delphinids of southern Africa: A review of their distribution, status and life history. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 1:157-165
- Rice DW (1998) Marine mammals of the world: systematics and distribution. Society for Marine Mammalogy, Special Publication Number 4 (Wartzok D, Ed.), Lawrence, KS. USA.
- Rose B, Payne AIL (1991) Occurrence and behavior of the southern right whale dolphin Lissodelphis peronii off Namibia. Marine Mammal Science 7(1): 25 - 34
- Van Waerebeek K, Canto J, Gonzalez J, Oporto J, Brito J L (1991) Southern right whale dolphins, Lissodelphis peronii off the Pacific coast of South America. Zeitschrift fuer Saeugetierkunde 56(5): 284 - 295
From Carnivora.
carnivora.net/southern-right-whale-dolphin-lissodelphis-peronii-t2820.html