A Review of the Status of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin (<I>Sousa chinensis</I>) in Chinese Waters
2004; Volume: 30; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1578/am.30.1.2004.149
ISSN1996-7292
AutoresThomas A. Jefferson, Samuel K. Hung,
Tópico(s)Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
ResumoThe status of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in Chinese waters (including Taiwan) is reviewed. Within China, humpback dolphins range from the Vietnam border north to the mouth of the Yangtze River, and there are estimated to be about eight populations in China. Little is known of stock structure, except for a preliminary conclusion that animals in Xiamen and Hong Kong represent separate populations. Abundance has been estimated only for Hong Kong and the Pearl River Estuary (about 1,500 animals) and Xiamen (80 dolphins). In the early 1960s, 36 animals were killed in Xiamen Harbor, but other direct takes appear to be rare. Incidental catches are known in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Estuary, but their impacts are not known. Only preliminary work on life history has been conducted. There appears to be a calving peak from spring to summer, and calves are about 100 cm long at birth. Scant data indicate that sexual maturity in females may occur at about 9-10 years of age, with males maturing later. Dolphins in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Estuary have indi
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