Population differences in the pigmentation of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, Sousa chinensis, in Chinese waters
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John Y. Wang
Abstract
Spotting pigmentation was compared amongst three putative populations of Sousa chinensis: eastern Taiwan Strait (ETS; n=31), Pearl River Estuary (PRE; n=188) and Jiulong River Estuary (JRE; n=10). Spotting intensity on dorsal fins and bodies of each dolphin was scored from 1 (least spotted) to 4 (most spotted) by nine independent subjects and the means of their scores were analysed using analysis of variances (with post-hoc comparisons) and multiple t-tests. Dorsal fins of ETS dolphins were more spotted when compared to those of the PRE (p<0.0001) and JRE (p<0.0001), but those of PRE vs. JRE dolphins were not significantly different. Body spotting comparisons for all regions were not significantly different. The most noticeable character was the relative differences in spotting intensity between dorsal fins and bodies; dorsal fins were generally as, or more, spotted than bodies of ETS dolphins, while dorsal fins were generally less spotted than bodies of PRE and JRE dolphins. ETS dolphins also maintained spotting on their dorsal fins throughout all spotting phases of the body, whereas dorsal fins of PRE and JRE dolphins became unspotted well before their bodies. These results show that the ETS dolphins are distinct and apparently diagnosable from the PRE and JRE populations.
©2008 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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- New data on the endemic Patagonian long-clawed mouse Notiomys edwardsii (Rodentia: Cricetidae)
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- Population differences in the pigmentation of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, Sousa chinensis, in Chinese waters
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- Book Reviews
- Book Reviews
- Annual Indices
- Contents volume 72 (2008)
- Author index volume 72 (2008)
- Genus/species index volume 72 (2008)
- Subject index volume 72 (2008)
- Meeting announcements
- Meetings
Articles in the same Issue
- Original Studies
- Description of a new species of Crocidura (Soricomorpha: Soricidae) from the island of Phu Quoc, Vietnam
- New data on the endemic Patagonian long-clawed mouse Notiomys edwardsii (Rodentia: Cricetidae)
- Phylogeny, adaptation and mandible shape in Sciuridae (Rodentia, Mammalia)
- Intermolar palatal ridges in Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) populations from 28 American cities – the configuration of the first ridge and prevalence of dark pigmented sections
- Population differences in the pigmentation of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, Sousa chinensis, in Chinese waters
- Small mammal assemblages and habitat distribution in the northern Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, China: a pilot survey
- Small-mammal assemblage response to deforestation and afforestation in central China
- Population characteristics of a semi-free-ranging polytocous cervid, Hydropotes inermis
- Short Notes
- First karyological and molecular study of the Hainan gymnure Neohylomys hainanensis (Erinaceomorpha: Erinaceidae)
- Noteworthy records of margay, Leopardus wiedii and ocelot, Leopardus pardalis in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico
- Four-eyed opossum (Philander opossum) predation on a coral snake (Micrurus nigrocinctus)
- A live trap model and field trial of a nutria (Rodentia) multiple capture trap
- Genetic lineages of feral populations of the Oryctolagus cuniculus (Leporidae, Lagomorpha) in Argentina
- Book Reviews
- Book Reviews
- Annual Indices
- Contents volume 72 (2008)
- Author index volume 72 (2008)
- Genus/species index volume 72 (2008)
- Subject index volume 72 (2008)
- Meeting announcements
- Meetings
