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Hector's dolphin
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Hector's dolphin
Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) is one of six dolphin species belonging to the genus Cephalorhynchus. Hector's dolphin is the only cetacean endemic to New Zealand, and comprises two subspecies: C. h. hectori, the more numerous subspecies, also referred to as South Island Hector's dolphin, and C. h. maui, the critically endangered Māui dolphin that is found off the West Coast of New Zealand's North Island.
Distinctive features of the species include a rounded dorsal fin, grey, white, and black coloration, and a stocky body shape. Their lifespan is typically around 20 years, and the species favours shallow coastal waters around the South Island, where they live in small groups and use echolocation clicks to communicate.
Threats to the species include bycatch in gillnets and trawls, disease, genetic issues, and additional anthropogenic hazards. Action to conserve the species has been taken through the establishment of marine protected areas and other recent protections.
Hector's dolphin was named after New Zealand scientist and explorer James Hector (1834–1907), who became the director of the Colonial Museum in Wellington (now the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa), where he oversaw the publication of annual geological exploration reports. The species was scientifically described by Belgian zoologist Pierre-Joseph van Beneden in 1881. Māori names for Hector's dolphin include Tutumairekurai, Tuupoupou, Pehipehi, Hopuhopu, Upokohue, and Waiaua.
Hector's dolphin is the smallest dolphin species. Mature adults have a total length of 1.2–1.6 m (3 ft 11 in – 5 ft 3 in) and weigh 40–60 kg (88–132 lb). The species is sexually dimorphic, with females being about 5–7% longer than males. The body shape is stocky, with a large fluke relative to their body size and no discernible beak. The most distinctive feature is the rounded dorsal fin, with a convex trailing edge and undercut rear margin. Māui dolphins tend to be longer than South Island Hector's dolphins.
The overall coloration of Hector's dolphins is a mixture of grey, white, and black. Their eyes are surrounded by a black mask, and a thin black line extends from the head to the blowhole. The throat and belly are white, while the rest of the dolphin is grey.
At birth, Hector's dolphin calves have a total length of 60–80 cm (24–31 in) and weigh 8–10 kg (18–22 lb). Their coloration is the almost same as adults, although the grey has a darker hue. Newborn Hector's dolphins have distinct fetal fold marks on their flanks that cause a change in the coloration pattern of the skin. These changes are visible for approximately six months and consist of four to six vertical light grey stripes against darker grey skin.
Data from field studies, beached individuals, and dolphins caught in fishing nets have provided information on their life history and reproductive parameters. Photo-ID based observations at Banks Peninsula from 1984 to 2006 show that individuals can reach at least 22 years of age. Males attain sexual maturity between 6 and 9 years old and females begin calving between 7 and 9 years old. Females will continue to calve every 2–3 years, resulting in a maximum of 4–7 calves in one female's lifetime. Calving occurs during the spring and summer. Calves are assumed to be weaned at around one year of age, and the mortality rate in the first 6 months has been estimated to be around 36%.
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Hector's dolphin
Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) is one of six dolphin species belonging to the genus Cephalorhynchus. Hector's dolphin is the only cetacean endemic to New Zealand, and comprises two subspecies: C. h. hectori, the more numerous subspecies, also referred to as South Island Hector's dolphin, and C. h. maui, the critically endangered Māui dolphin that is found off the West Coast of New Zealand's North Island.
Distinctive features of the species include a rounded dorsal fin, grey, white, and black coloration, and a stocky body shape. Their lifespan is typically around 20 years, and the species favours shallow coastal waters around the South Island, where they live in small groups and use echolocation clicks to communicate.
Threats to the species include bycatch in gillnets and trawls, disease, genetic issues, and additional anthropogenic hazards. Action to conserve the species has been taken through the establishment of marine protected areas and other recent protections.
Hector's dolphin was named after New Zealand scientist and explorer James Hector (1834–1907), who became the director of the Colonial Museum in Wellington (now the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa), where he oversaw the publication of annual geological exploration reports. The species was scientifically described by Belgian zoologist Pierre-Joseph van Beneden in 1881. Māori names for Hector's dolphin include Tutumairekurai, Tuupoupou, Pehipehi, Hopuhopu, Upokohue, and Waiaua.
Hector's dolphin is the smallest dolphin species. Mature adults have a total length of 1.2–1.6 m (3 ft 11 in – 5 ft 3 in) and weigh 40–60 kg (88–132 lb). The species is sexually dimorphic, with females being about 5–7% longer than males. The body shape is stocky, with a large fluke relative to their body size and no discernible beak. The most distinctive feature is the rounded dorsal fin, with a convex trailing edge and undercut rear margin. Māui dolphins tend to be longer than South Island Hector's dolphins.
The overall coloration of Hector's dolphins is a mixture of grey, white, and black. Their eyes are surrounded by a black mask, and a thin black line extends from the head to the blowhole. The throat and belly are white, while the rest of the dolphin is grey.
At birth, Hector's dolphin calves have a total length of 60–80 cm (24–31 in) and weigh 8–10 kg (18–22 lb). Their coloration is the almost same as adults, although the grey has a darker hue. Newborn Hector's dolphins have distinct fetal fold marks on their flanks that cause a change in the coloration pattern of the skin. These changes are visible for approximately six months and consist of four to six vertical light grey stripes against darker grey skin.
Data from field studies, beached individuals, and dolphins caught in fishing nets have provided information on their life history and reproductive parameters. Photo-ID based observations at Banks Peninsula from 1984 to 2006 show that individuals can reach at least 22 years of age. Males attain sexual maturity between 6 and 9 years old and females begin calving between 7 and 9 years old. Females will continue to calve every 2–3 years, resulting in a maximum of 4–7 calves in one female's lifetime. Calving occurs during the spring and summer. Calves are assumed to be weaned at around one year of age, and the mortality rate in the first 6 months has been estimated to be around 36%.
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