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| Query: Animal biology | Result: 169th of 278 | |
Stenella attenuata, Pantropical spotted dolphin
| Resolution: 400x216
File Size: 17421 Bytes
Upload Date: 2008:02:10 22:57:11
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CMS: Stenella attenuata, Pantropical spotted dolphin
in the ETP, results
suggest there may actually be significant differences between these
two species. Detailed analysis of oceanographic correlates of distribution
will be necessary in order to understand fully the habitat requirements
of these pelagic dolphins, often the most conspicuous elements of
tropical cetacean communities around the world (Balance and Pitman,
1998).
Dolar et al. (1997) surveyed marine mammal distribution and abundance
in the southern part of the Sulu Sea and north-eastern Malaysian
waters. Population size estimates for pantropical spotted dolphin
were 3,500 individuals. For the Eastern Sulu Sea, Dolar (1999) estimated
a total population size of 13 000.
4. Biology and Behaviour
Photo: Robert L. Pitman
Habitat
: In the eastern Pacific the pantropical spotted
dolphin is an inhabitant of the tropical, equatorial and southern
subtropical water masses. The waters in which the animal occurs
with greatest frequency are those underlain by a sharp thermocline
at depths of less than 50 m and with surface temperatures over 25°C
and salinities less than 34 parts per thousand. These conditions
prevail year round in the region north of the Equator called the
"Inner Tropical" waters of the eastern Pacific. Occurrence
in this core habitat is correlated with apparent multi-species foraging
and feeding behaviour. The species also occurs in closely similar
waters south of the Equator that expand and contract greatly with
season and year to year (Perrin and Hohn, 1994 and ref. therein).
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