Ajay Kumar at 21:30, 30 August 2023

2023-08-30T21:30:19Z

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{{Short description|Genus of mammals}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Humpback dolphin
| image = Humpback_dolphin.jpg
| image_caption = Humpback dolphins surfacing for air
| image2 = Humpback_dolphins_size.svg
| image2_caption = Size compared to an average human
| taxon = Sousa
| authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1866
| type_species = ''[[Sousa chinensis|Steno lentiginosus]]'' <ref>{{MSW3|id=14300081}}</ref>
| type_species_authority = Gray, 1866
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = See text
}}

'''Humpback dolphins''' are members of the [[genus]] '''''Sousa'''''. These [[dolphin]]s are characterized by the conspicuous humps and elongated [[dorsal fin]]s found on the backs of adults of the species. They are found close to shore along the [[coast]] of [[West Africa]] (Atlantic species/variety) and right along the coast of the [[Indian Ocean]] from [[South Africa]] to [[Australia]] (Indo-Pacific species/varieties). Several institutions have made a proposal to divide the Indo-Pacific species into two distinct species: the [[Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin]] and the [[Australian humpback dolphin]].

==Description==
The humpback dolphin is a coastal dolphin that can be found along the coast of Africa and India south to Australia, areas differing for separate varieties. The humpback dolphin has a hump ahead of the [[dorsal fin]], as well as a careen on a ventral side. The dorsal fin of the humpback dolphin is to some degree falcate. The [[pectoral fins]] are considerably small and the tail flukes have a well-defined median notch. On each side of the jaw there are 30 to 34 small coned-shaped teeth.

Newborn calves are a cream or pearl shade of white, much like that of an adult [[beluga whale]], whereas the adults have a more dull off-white coloring from the tail to the snout. Their flanks are dark gray, and their stomachs are a lighter gray. Adults can reach from {{Convert|1.8|to|2.6|m}} and weigh in the range of {{Convert|100|to|139|kg}}.<ref>{{Cite web
|title=Atlantic Humpback
|publisher=ThinkQuest
|url=http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110164/Species/Atlantic%20Humpback%20Dolphin.htm
|access-date=26 January 2013
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022043741/http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110164/Species/Atlantic%20Humpback%20Dolphin.htm
|archive-date=22 October 2012
|df=dmy-all
}}</ref>

==Diet==
The humpback dolphin's main diet consists of [[Mullet (fish)|mullet]] and other fish, though the feeding habits are widely unknown, as this animal is not widely known itself.

==Taxonomy==
* Genus ''Sousa'':
** ''S. chinensis'' ([[Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin]])
** ''S. plumbea'' ([[Indian Ocean humpback dolphin]])
** ''S. teuszii'' ([[Atlantic humpback dolphin]])
** ''S. sahulensis'' ([[Australian humpback dolphin]])

By the mid-2000s, most authorities<ref>''National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World'' (2002) {{ISBN|0-375-41141-0}}</ref><ref>''Cetacean Societies: Field Studies of Whales and Dolphins'' Mann, Connor, Tyack and Whitehead (2000) {{ISBN|0-226-50340-2}}</ref><ref>''Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises'' Mark Carwardine (1995) {{ISBN|0-7513-2781-6}}</ref> accepted just two species—the Atlantic and the [[Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin|Indo-Pacific]]. However, in his widely used systematic account,<ref>''Land Mammals of the World. Systematics and Distribution'', Dale W. Rice (2000). Published by the Society of Marine Mammalogy as Special Publication No. 4</ref> Rice identified three species, viewing the Indo-Pacific as two species named simply the Indian and Pacific. The dividing line between the two (sub)species is taken to be [[Sumatra]], one of the [[Indonesia]]n islands; however, intermixing is thought to be inevitable.

Further, [[Australia]]n [[cetology|cetologist]] Graham Ross writes "However, recent morphological studies, somewhat supported equivocally by [[Molecular phylogeny|genetic analyses]], indicate that there is a single, variable species for which the name ''S. chinensis'' has priority".<ref>''Humpback Dolphins'' Graham J. B. Ross pps 585-589 in ''Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals'' (1998) {{ISBN|0-12-551340-2}}</ref>

Humpback dolphins found in [[China|Chinese]] waters are locally known as [[Chinese white dolphin]]s. See that article for specific issues relating to that subspecies which corresponds to the Pacific humpback dolphin in Rice's classification.

In late 2013, researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society and the American Natural History museum proposed classification of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin into three species based on morphological and genetic analysis.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Mendez | first1 = M. | last2 = Jefferson | first2 = T. J. | last3 = Kolokotronis | first3 = S. O. | last4 = Krützen | first4 = M. | last5 = Parra | first5 = G. J. | last6 = Collins | first6 = T. | last7 = Minton | first7 = G. | last8 = Baldwin | first8 = R. | last9 = Berggren | first9 = P. | last10 = Särnblad | first10 = A. | last11 = Amir | first11 = O. A. | last12 = Peddemors | first12 = V. M. | last13 = Karczmarski | first13 = L. | last14 = Guissamulo | first14 = A. | last15 = Smith | first15 = B. | last16 = Sutaria | first16 = D. | last17 = Amato | first17 = G. | last18 = Rosenbaum | first18 = H. C. | title = Integrating multiple lines of evidence to better understand the evolutionary divergence of humpback dolphins along their entire distribution range: A new dolphin species in Australian waters? | doi = 10.1111/mec.12535 | journal = Molecular Ecology | pages = 5936–5948| year = 2013 | pmid = 24268046| volume=22| issue = 23 | s2cid = 9467569 }}</ref> Their research indicates that at least four species make up the genus ''Sousa'': the Atlantic humpback dolphin (''S. teuszii''), two species of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (''S. plumbea'' and ''S. chinesis''), and a fourth, new species of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin found off northern Australia, a distinction with potential to guide conservation efforts for the species.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wcs.org/press/press-releases/new-humpback-dolphin-species.aspx|title = WCS Newsroom}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dolphins-world.com/atlantic-humpback-dolphin-sousa-teuszii/|title=Atlantic Humpback Dolphin (Sousa teuszii) - Dolphin Facts and Information|website=www.dolphins-world.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-07-14}}</ref>

==Conservation==
The species{{which|date=January 2019}} is listed on Appendix I<ref name="Appendices">"[http://www.cms.int/documents/appendix/Appendices_COP9_E.pdf Appendix I and Appendix II] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611112003/http://www.cms.int/documents/appendix/Appendices_COP9_E.pdf |date=11 June 2011 }}" 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.</ref> and Appendix II<ref name="Appendices" /> of the [[Convention on Migratory Species|Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals]] (CMS). It is listed on Appendix I<ref name="Appendices" /> as this species has been categorized as being in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant proportion of its range and CMS Parties strive towards strictly protecting these animals, conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them. It is listed on Appendix II<ref name="Appendices" /> as it has an unfavourable conservation status or would benefit significantly from international co-operation organised by tailored agreements.
<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cms.int/reports/small_cetaceans/data/S_teuszii/s_teuszii.htm |title=Convention on Migratory Species page on the Atlantic humpback dolphin |access-date=26 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402142456/http://www.cms.int/reports/small_cetaceans/data/S_teuszii/s_teuszii.htm |archive-date=2 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In addition, the Atlantic humpback dolphin is covered by the [[West African Aquatic Mammals Memorandum of Understanding|Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Conservation of the Manatee and Small Cetaceans of Western Africa and Macaronesia]].<ref>[http://www.cms.int/species/waam/index.htm Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Conservation of the Manatee and Small Cetaceans of Western Africa and Macaronesia]</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Cetaceans|Mammals|Marine life}}
{{Commons category|Sousa (genus)}}
{{Wikispecies|Sousa}}
*[[List of cetacean species]]

==References==
{{Reflist|24em}}

{{Cetacea|O.}}
{{Odontoceti|D.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q309999}}

[[Category:Oceanic dolphins]]
[[Category:Cetaceans of the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:Cetaceans of the Indian Ocean]]
[[Category:Cetaceans of the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Marine fauna of Africa]]
[[Category:Marine fauna of Asia]]
[[Category:Marine fauna of Oceania]]
[[Category:Mammals of Asia]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray]]

Humpback dolphin - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 21:30, 30 August 2023