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Morphology

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The white-beaked dolphin has a robust body, with a short, thick beak about 5-8 cm long in adults. The beak is distinctly set off from the melon. The dorsal fin is at mid-body. It is proportionally large (up to 15% of body length), often rounded at the peak, and strongly recurved. Both the dorsal fin and the flukes apparently decrease in size relative to other body dimensions as the dolphin ages. The pointed flippers can be up to 19% of the total adult length. The thickened tail stock tapers gradually, in marked contrast to that of the Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Reeves 1999).

The coloration of this species shows considerable variability. The beak of most white-beaked dolphins is white, often mottled with light grey or with greyish or blackish spots, but in some, it is almost entirely grey (though paler than the head). The dark dorsal field anterior to the dorsal fin is sometimes separated from the dark melon by a transverse light grey stripe, a brownish-grey patch or a bold whitish "chevron" around and behind the blowhole. It may extend downwards from the melon to encircle the eye. In front of the dark grey zones on the sides, there is a paler grey, rather ill-defined thoracic patch. Above and behind this patch, between the dark grey dorsal and lateral fields, the body is varying shades of light grey to nearly white. The whitish or light grey flank pigmentation extends dorsally onto the back behind the dorsal fin. The underside is white, with the white central part of the abdomen forming a narrow band between two pale grey patches. The flukes, the tail stock immediately in front of the flukes, and the flippers, are generally dark, but often spotted or marbled with white near the insertions of the flippers and on the undersides of the flukes. Four to six hair follicles are present on each side of the upper jaw. Hairs are present on the upper lip of young individuals (Reeves et al. 1999).

Average mass: 200 kg.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry

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Lundrigan, B. and D. Tarr 2000. "Lagenorhynchus albirostris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lagenorhynchus_albirostris.html
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Habitat

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Lagenorhynchus albirostris generally occurs in cool waters. This species moves north into Davis Strait during the spring and summer, then moves back in the autumn and spends the winter as far south as Cape Cod (Nowak 1999).

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Lundrigan, B. and D. Tarr 2000. "Lagenorhynchus albirostris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lagenorhynchus_albirostris.html
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Distribution

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North Atlantic and adjacent waters from Davis Strait and Cape Cod to Barents Sea, the Baltic Sea, Portugal and possibly Turkey (Nowak 1999).

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Lundrigan, B. and D. Tarr 2000. "Lagenorhynchus albirostris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lagenorhynchus_albirostris.html
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Trophic Strategy

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The principle prey of the white-beaked dolphin includes clupeids, gadids and hake. Other fish, squid, octopus and benthic crustaceans are also eaten (Reeves et al. 1999).

Animal Foods: fish; mollusks; aquatic crustaceans

Primary Diet: carnivore (Piscivore )

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Lundrigan, B. and D. Tarr 2000. "Lagenorhynchus albirostris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lagenorhynchus_albirostris.html
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Conservation Status

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White-beaked dolphins are hunted along the coasts of several Northern Atlantic countries including Norway, Iceland and Newfoundland. Like other North Atlantic marine mammals, white-beaked dolphins are poisoned by organochlorides, other anthropogenic compounds, and heavy metals. The impact of these factors on the population are unknown. Some populations have apparently grown in the last thirty years or so, while others (including those in the Gulf of Maine) have declined (Reeves 1999).

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

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Behavior

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Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical

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Untitled

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Observers frequently confuse Atlantic white-sided dolphins with white-beaked dolphins since the latter also have conspicuous areas of white on their flanks. It has been reported that the white-beaked dolphin is by far the commonest dolphin in Shetland coastal waters, as exemplified by ferry crossings between Grutness and Fair Isle and research cruises that have been conducted east of Shetland (Shetland Wildlife 1999).

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Lundrigan, B. and D. Tarr 2000. "Lagenorhynchus albirostris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lagenorhynchus_albirostris.html
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Reproduction

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Calves are born between June and September. At birth they are about 115 cm long and weigh 40 kg. They reach sexual maturity at a length of 1.95 m ( http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jaap/lag-albi.htm).

Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual

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Biology

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The white-beaked dolphin is an extremely active, fast-swimming species. They often ride the bow of boats and may be seen breaching (leaping out of the water and landing back in the water with a splash) or clearing the water when swimming fast (5). It is a social species that forms groups of between 1 to 35 individuals, but occasionally groups of up to 1,500 have been observed (6). It feeds on schooling fish, crustaceans and cephalopods (2). A single calf is born in summer (7), measuring 1.2 metres in length at birth (2). A range of vocalisations including bursts of clicks and squeals are used to communicate, and may also be important in detecting prey and navigation (7).
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Conservation

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A UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species, the white-beaked dolphin is protected in UK waters by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Orders, 1985; it is illegal to intentionally kill, injure, or harass any cetacean (whale or dolphin) species in UK waters (4). The Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans in the Baltic and North Seas (ASCOBANS) has been signed by seven European countries, including the UK. Provision is made under this agreement to set up protected areas, promote research and monitoring, pollution control and increase public awareness (4).
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Description

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Despite the common and Latin names (albirostris means 'white beak' (2)), the short, stocky beak of the white-beaked dolphin is not always white. It may be black and white, grey and white, completely white or even black in colour in certain parts of the range (5). This large dolphin has a rotund body, with a high dorsal fin placed in the centre of the back, behind which there is a characteristic greyish white patch that allows this species to be easily identified (5). The back, tail and flippers are black or grey in colour, and the belly is white or pale grey (5).
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Habitat

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Prefers cool waters (6), and spends most of the year in deep offshore waters, but may move closer to shore in summer (5). It is found widely over the continental shelf, but especially along the shelf edge (8).
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Range

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Inhabits northern oceans (5), the distribution reaches north to Iceland, the Greenland Sea and around central-west Greenland (4), but this species is rarely seen further south than Britain and Ireland (5). It is common in UK and Irish waters, most often seen in the central and northern North Sea to north-west Scotland, but it also occurs less frequently in southern Ireland, the western Channel, and the Irish Sea (4). This species is most common in UK waters between June and September, but it is present throughout the year in northern British waters (4).
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Status

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Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1). Listed on Annex IV of the EC Habitats Directive, Appendix II of the Bonn Convention (North and Baltic Sea populations) and Appendix II of the Bern Convention (3). All cetaceans (whales and dolphins) are listed on Annex A of EU Council Regulation 338/97; they are therefore treated by the EU as if they are included in CITES Appendix I, so that commercial trade is prohibited. In the UK all cetaceans are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order, 1985 (4).
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Threats

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Known threats include environmental changes and the risk of entanglement in fishing nets (by-catch) and subsequent suffocation (5). Furthermore, this species has been hunted in Norway, the Faroe Islands and Greenland; this still persists in some areas (5).
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Brief Summary

provided by Ecomare
White-beaked dolphins are boisterous swimmers and like to surf in the waves of ship bows. They live in groups of six to twenty animals. Since around 1955, the white-beaked dolphin is seen regularly in the North Sea. It is presently the most common dolphin species in the North Sea. There are probably between 7000 and 8000 white-beaked dolphins swimming here. Scientists have seen a decline in recent years. It is still unclear; however the warming up of the seawater is seen as a possible cause.
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Size

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Adults are up to 3.2 m in length (males grow larger than females). Newborns are between 1.2 and 1.6 m.
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Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. . 
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Benefits

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There is a long history of hunting for white-beaked dolphins in Norway, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, and Labrador. Hunting in some areas continues today. Incidental catches in fishing gear occur, but are not thought to be high enough to represent a threat to this species. IUCN: Insufficiently known.
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Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. . 
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Brief Summary

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Groups of less than 50 are most common, but herds of many hundreds have been seen. These animals are active, often leaping and breaching. While feeding they sometimes associate with large whales. There appears to be a calving peak in summer and early autumn, but not much is known about reproduction in this species. White-beaked dolphins feed on a variety of small schooling fishes, squid, and crustaceans.
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Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. . 
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Diagnostic Description

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White-beaked dolphins are extremely robust. The beak is short and thick, but set-off from the melon by a crease. The dorsal fin is tall and falcate, with a pointed tip. The colour pattern is highly variable, but the animals are mostly black to dark grey. The beak and most of the belly are white to light grey, and the beak, especially, is often mottled. An area of light grey with an indistinct border originating on the upper flank broadens to cover most of the tail stock. There is often dark or light flecking in the region between the eye and the flipper. Each half of each jaw is lined with 22 to 28 sharp teeth. Can be confused with: White-beaked dolphins are most likely to be confused with Atlantic white-sided dolphins (p. 146) from which they can be distinguished by differences in coloration and beak length. In the few areas where they overlap with bottlenose dolphins (p. 154), care must be taken to distinguish between these 2; colour-pattern differences are most useful.
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Marine mammals of the world. Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood & M.A. Webber - 1993. FAO species identification guide. Rome, FAO. 320 p. 587 figs. . 
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White-beaked dolphin

provided by wikipedia EN

The white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) is a marine mammal belonging to the family Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins) in the suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales).

Taxonomy

The species was first described by the British taxonomist John Edward Gray in 1846. Due to its relative abundance in European waters, it was among the first of the genus Lagenorhynchus (lagenos, Latin for "bottle" or "flask"; rhynchos, "beak" or "snout") to be known to science. Its specific name, albirostris, translates to "white beak", a reference to the color of the species' beak, a diagnostic (albeit variable) trait useful in identification.[3]

Description

Skeleton

The white-beaked dolphin is a robust species of dolphin with a short beak. Adults can reach 2.3 to 3.1 m (7 ft 7 in to 10 ft 2 in) long and weigh 180 to 354 kg (397 to 780 lb). Calves are 1.1 to 1.2 m (3 ft 7 in to 3 ft 11 in) long at birth and probably weigh about 40 kg (88 lb).[4] The upper body and flanks are dark grey with light grey patches, including a 'saddle' behind the dorsal fin, while the underside is light grey to almost white in color. The flippers, fluke, and the tall, falcate, dorsal fin are all a darker grey than the body. As the common name implies, the beak is usually white in color, but it may be a dark, ashy grey, in some older individuals.[5]

White-beaked dolphins have 25 to 28 teeth in each jaw, although the three teeth closest to the front of the mouth are often not visible, failing to erupt from the gums. They have up to 92 vertebrae, more than any other species of oceanic dolphin. Although the young are born with two to four whiskers on each side of the upper lip, these disappear as they grow, and, as in other odontocetes, the adults are entirely hairless.[6] The humerus of the right flipper has been recorded as being longer and more robust than that on the left, indicating a degree of lateralized behavior.[7]

Distribution and habitat

Off the coast of Iceland

The white-beaked dolphin is endemic to the cold temperate and subarctic waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, most commonly in seas less than 1,000 m (3,300 ft) deep.[8] They are found in a band stretching across the ocean from Cape Cod, the mouth of the St. Lawrence River and southern Greenland in the west, around Iceland in the centre, and across in the west from northern France to Svalbard; however, they are not well adapted to truly Arctic conditions.[9] Due to the fact they are not fully adapted to Arctic conditions, they are more vulnerable to predators, most notably polar bears.[10] Within this wider region, white-beaked dolphins are most commonly found in four locales: on the Labrador Shelf close to southwestern Greenland, around Iceland, off the northern and eastern coasts of Britain, and off the coast of Norway.[6] In the Faroe Islands between Iceland and the United Kingdom the White-beaked dolphin is at risk of being hunted during drive catches of the long-finned pilot whales. They may also be incidentally trapped in the purse-sein and trawl nets of the area.[11] There are no recognised subspecies.

The dolphin may easily be misidentified as the Atlantic white-sided dolphin, although the white-beaked is commonly found further north. The white-beaked dolphin is also typically larger, and does not have yellow streaks on its side.

Biology and behavior

Off the coast of Scotland

The population, breeding pattern, and life expectancy of the dolphin are all unknown, although most sources estimate several hundred thousand individuals, more densely populated in the eastern North Atlantic than the west.

White-beaked dolphins feed predominantly on gadoid fishes, particularly cod, haddock, and whiting.[12][13] They are social animals, most commonly found in groups of less than ten,[6] but sometimes in much larger associations of over a hundred individuals.[14] Their sonar clicks have a peak frequency of 115 kHz,[15] while their social whistles are at around 35 kHz, and can be audible to others of their species at distances of up to 10 km (6.2 mi).[16]

White-beaked dolphins are acrobatic; they will frequently ride on the bow wave of high-speed boats and jump clear of the sea's surface. Although they are normally much slower, they can swim at up to 30 km/h (19 mph) and can dive to at least 45 m (148 ft) depth.[6] They are social feeders and have frequently been observed feeding with killer, fin, and humpback whales, as well as other dolphin species.

Mating probably takes place in the summer,[17] with calves being born in the following year, between June and September.[13] Females reach their adult size at around five years of age, and are sexually mature at six to ten years, while males reach adult size at around ten years, and reach sexual maturity about two years later than females.[6]

Conservation

The North and Baltic Sea populations of the white-beaked dolphin are listed on Appendix II[18] of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), since they have an unfavourable conservation status or would benefit significantly from international co-operation organised by tailored agreements.[19]

In addition, the white-beaked dolphin is covered by the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS).[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ Kiszka, J.; Braulik, G. (2018). "Lagenorhynchus albirostris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T11142A50361346. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T11142A50361346.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  3. ^ Reeves, Randall; Brent Stewart; Phillip Clapham & James Powell (2002). National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World. Knopf. pp. 395–397. ISBN 0-375-41141-0.
  4. ^ Shirihai, H. & Jarrett, B. (2006). Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals of the World. Princeton Field Guides. pp. 199–200. ISBN 9780691127569.
  5. ^ Bertulli, C.G.; et al. (July 2016). "Color patterns in white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) from Iceland". Marine Mammal Science. 32 (3): 1072–1098. doi:10.1111/mms.12312.
  6. ^ a b c d e Galatius, A. & Kinze, C.C. (August 2016). "Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Cetacea: Delphinidae)". Mammalian Species. 48 (933): 35–47. doi:10.1093/mspecies/sew003.
  7. ^ Galatius, A. (2006). "Bilateral directional asymmetry of the appendicular skeleton of the white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)". Aquatic Mammals. 32 (2): 232–235. doi:10.1578/AM.32.2.2006.232.
  8. ^ Hansen, R.G. & Heide-Jørgensen, M.P. (November 2013). "Spatial trends in abundance of long-finned pilot whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises in West Greenland". Marine Biology. 160 (11): 2929–2941. doi:10.1007/s00227-013-2283-8. S2CID 84752148.
  9. ^ Polar bears eating dolhins as waters warm Bloomberg News, retrieved June 12, 2015
  10. ^ Aars, J.; Andersen, M; Brenière, A.; Blanc, S. (2015). "White-beaked dolphins trapped in the ice and eaten by polar bears". Polar Research. 34: 26612. doi:10.3402/polar.v34.26612.
  11. ^ Francoise Van Bressem, Burville, Sharpe, Berggren, Van Waerebeek, Marie, Ben, Matt, Per, Koen. "Visual health assessment of white-beaked dolphins off the coast of Northumberland, North Sea, using underwater photography". Wiley Online Library. Marine Mammal Science. Retrieved 26 March 2021. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Jansen, O.E.; et al. (December 2010). "Are white-beaked dolphins Lagenorhynchus albirostris food specialists? Their diet in the southern North Sea". Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 90 (8): 1501–1508. doi:10.1017/S0025315410001190. S2CID 55878106.
  13. ^ a b Canning, S.J.; et al. (September 2008). "Seasonal distribution of white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) in UK waters with new information on diet and habitat use". Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 88 (6): 1159–1166. doi:10.1017/S0025315408000076. S2CID 85215744.
  14. ^ Fall J. & Skern-Mauritzen, M. (May 2014). "White-beaked dolphin distribution and association with prey in the Barents Sea". Marine Biology Research. 10 (10): 957–971. doi:10.1080/17451000.2013.872796. S2CID 86542432.
  15. ^ Rasmussen, M.H. & Miller, L.A. (2002). "Whistles and clicks from white-beaked dolphins, Lagenorhynchus albirostris, recorded in Faxaflói Bay, Iceland" (PDF). Aquatic Mammals. 28 (1): 78–89.
  16. ^ Rasmussen, M.H.; et al. (January 2006). "Source levels and harmonic content of whistles in white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)". The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 120 (1): 510–517. Bibcode:2006ASAJ..120..510R. doi:10.1121/1.2202865. PMID 16875247.
  17. ^ Galatius, A.; Jansen, O.E. & Kinze, C.C. (July 2012). "Parameters of growth and reproduction of white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) from the North Sea". Marine Mammal Science. 29 (2): 348–355. doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.2012.00568.x.
  18. ^ "Appendix II Archived 11 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine" of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). As amended by the Conference of the Parties in 1985, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2005 and 2008. Effective: 5 March 2009.
  19. ^ Convention on Migratory Species page on the White-beaked dolphin
  20. ^ Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas
  • Whales Dolphins and Porpoises, Mark Carwardine, Dorling Kindersley Handbooks, ISBN 0-7513-2781-6
  • National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World, Reeves, Stewart, Clapham and Powell, ISBN 0-375-41141-0

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White-beaked dolphin: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

The white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) is a marine mammal belonging to the family Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins) in the suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales).

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Biology

provided by World Register of Marine Species
White-beaked dolphins feed on living, benthic, shallow water fish. Their food varies according to the region and probably depends on the local availability. The stomach content of those washed ashore at the Belgian coast consisted amongst others of whiting, cod, haddock, hake, herring, plaice, mackerel and cephalopods and some benthic crustaceans. These dolphins are mostly found living far offshore, normally in shoals of 6 to 20, although in one exceptional case of more than 1500. They are often observed together with the Atlantic white-sided dolphin. They are powerful swimmers who love to surf on bow waves of ships.

Reference

Stienen, E.W.M.; Van Waeyenberge, J.; Kuijken, E. (2003). Zeezoogdieren in Belgisch mariene wateren [Marine mammals in Belgian marine waters]. Rapport Instituut voor Natuurbehoud, A.2003.152. Instituut voor Natuurbehoud: Brussel, Belgium. 15 pp.

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Diet

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clupeids, gadids and hake are the principal diet. Other fish, cephalopods and benthic crustaceans are also eaten.

Reference

North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)

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Distribution

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Pelagic Northern waters

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North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)

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Habitat

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temperate to subpolar, mostly in deep water

Reference

van der Land, J. (ed). (2008). UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms (URMO).

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Habitat

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inshore to mainly offshore

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North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)

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Kennedy, Mary [email]

IUCN Red List Category

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Least Concern (LC)

Reference

IUCN (2008) Cetacean update of the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

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cc-by-4.0
copyright
WoRMS Editorial Board
contributor
Perrin, William [email]

Morphology

provided by World Register of Marine Species
Distinguishing characteristics: robust body, with a short, thick beak about 5-8 cm long in adults. The beak is distinctly set off from the melon. The dorsal fin is at mid-body. It is proportionally large (up to 15% of body length), often rounded at the peak, and strongly recurved. Both the dorsal fin and the flukes apparently decrease in size relative to other body dimensions as the dolphin ages. The pointed flippers can be up to 19% of the total adult length. The thickened tail stock tapers gradually. The beak of most white-beaked dolphins is white, often mottled with light grey or with greyish or blackish spots, but in some it is almost entirely grey (though paler than the head). The dark dorsal field anterior to the dorsal fin is sometimes separated from the dark melon by a transverse light grey stripe, a brownish-grey patch or a bold whitish "chevron" around and behind the blowhole that may extend downwards from the melon to encircle the eye.

Reference

North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)

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WoRMS Editorial Board
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[email]

Morphology

provided by World Register of Marine Species
White-beaked dolphins are rather large, robust dolphins. The back is dark grey and black, with a lighter ‘saddlespot’ behind the dorsal fin. A dark grey to whitish line can be found above the eye which continues over the flanks to the anus. The colour is highly variable. The body is fairly stocky. The beak is rather short and the flippers are large and pointed.

Reference

Stienen, E.W.M.; Van Waeyenberge, J.; Kuijken, E. (2003). Zeezoogdieren in Belgisch mariene wateren [Marine mammals in Belgian marine waters]. Rapport Instituut voor Natuurbehoud, A.2003.152. Instituut voor Natuurbehoud: Brussel, Belgium. 15 pp.

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cc-by-4.0
copyright
WoRMS Editorial Board
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[email]