- Atlantic White-sided Dolphin
Taxobox
name = Atlantic White-sided Dolphin
image_width =
image_width =
image2_width = 250px
image2_caption = Size comparison against an average human
status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum =Animal ia
phylum =Chordata
classis =Mammal ia
subclassis =Eutheria
ordo =Cetacea
subordo =Odontoceti
familia =Delphinidae
genus = "Lagenorhynchus "
species = "L. acutus"
binomial = "Lagenorhynchus acutus"
binomial_authority = (Gray, 1828)
range_
range_map_width = 250px
range_map_caption = Atlantic White-sided Dolphin rangeThe Atlantic White-sided Dolphin ("Lagenorhynchus acutus") is a distinctively coloureddolphin found in the cool to temperate waters of the NorthAtlantic Ocean .Taxonomy
The Atlantic White-sided Dolphin was named by Gray in 1828. The specific name "acutus" comes from the
Latin for 'pointed' and refers to the sharply pointeddorsal fin . "L. acutus" is one of six oceanic dolphins in the genus "Lagenorhynchus ".Physical description
The dolphin is slightly larger than most other oceanic dolphins. It is just over a metre in length at birth, growing to about 2.8m (males) and 2.5m (females) at maturity. It weighs between 200 kg and 230 kg once fully-grown. Females reach sexual maturity at between 6 and 12 years, and males between 7 and 11 years. The gestation period is 11 months and lactation lasts for about a year and a half - both typical figures for dolphins. Individuals are known to live for up to 22 years (males) and 27 years (females).
The key distinguishing feature is the white to pale yellow patch found behind the dorsal fin of the dolphin on each side. This variation in colour to the Atlantic White-sided Dolphin is unique amongst the mixtures of white, greys and blues of other pelagic
cetacean s. The rest of the body's coloration is well demarcated: the chin, throat and belly are white; the flippers,dorsal fin and back are dark grey to black with the exception of the yellow patch; there is a further white patch below the dorsal fin, lying above a light grey stripe that runs from the beak, above the eye and down to the tail stock.Dolphin group sizes vary by location, with groups averaging 60 in number close to the Newfoundland shores, but rather smaller east of
Iceland . From the analysis of thestomach contents of stranded animals, fish such asherring andmackerel andsquid appear to form the species' main diet. The Atlantic White-sided Dolphin is fairly acrobatic and keen to interact with boatsWhale and Dolphin Conservation Society - [http://www.wdcs.org/dan/publishing.nsf/allweb/C210381F636070C1802569D00039DC76 Atlantic white-sided dolphin] ] , however it is not as wildly gregarious as the White-beaked andCommon Dolphin s.Population and distribution
The species is endemic to the North Atlantic Ocean. Areas of particularly high population density include the shores of Newfoundland and
Cape Cod , the triangular area of sea between theUnited Kingdom ,Iceland andGreenland and theNorth Sea . The total population is believed to be 200-300,000 individuals.Human interaction
Historically, Atlantic White-sided Dolphins were killed in drives conducted from Norway and Newfoundland. These have ceased in recent years, although they still occur to a lesser extent from the
Faroe Islands , where the meat and blubber are in high regard as food. [ [http://www.tinganes.fo/ew/media/Til%20enskan%20tekst/Update%20June%202003.doc UMSITINGEN: 10JUNR2003 report by the Faroe Islands' Prime Minister's Office, entitled: "WHALES & WHALING IN THE FAROE ISLANDS"] ]Reported catches in the years from 1995 to 1998 were 157, 152, 350, and 438, respectively (Bloch and Olsen 1998, 1999; Bloch et al. 1997, 2000). In 2002, the number reported killed was 774. [ [http://www.tinganes.fo/ew/media/Til%20enskan%20tekst/Update%20June%202003.doc UMSITINGEN: 10JUNR2003 report by the Faroe Islands' Prime Minister's Office, entitled: "WHALES & WHALING IN THE FAROE ISLANDS"] ]
References
* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
*"Atlantic White-sided Dolphin" by Frank Cipriano, "Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals" pp49-51 ISBN 0-12-551340-2
*"National Audubon Society: Guide to Marine Mammals of the World" ISBN 0-375-41141-0
*"Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals" ISBN 0-12-551340-2External links
* [http://www.wdcs.org: Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society]
* [http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/mammals/Lagenorhynchus_acutus/ Atlantic White-sided Dolphin] atARKive
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