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Home -> Kingdom Animalia -> Phylum Chordata -> Subphylum Vertebrata -> Class Mammalia -> Order Cetacea -> Suborder Odontoceti -> Family Delphinidae -> Species Cephalorhynchus eutropia

Cephalorhynchus eutropia
black dolphin



2009/12/06 02:03:14.850 US/Eastern

By Bob Fan

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Suborder: Odontoceti
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Cephalorhynchus
Species: Cephalorhynchus eutropia

Geographic Range

Chilean dolphins live in the coastal waters of Chile, ranging from near Valparaiso (33°S) to south of Navarino Island (55°15'S) and as far south as Tierra del Fuego. The farthest east that this dolphin has been sighted is near the eastern mouth of the Strait of Magellan. (Brownell and Donovan, 1988; Grzimek, 2004; Reeves et al., 2002; Ridgway and Harrison, 1994)

Biogeographic Regions:
pacific ocean (native ).

Habitat

Depth
20 to 3 m
(65.6 to 9.84 ft)


On Chile's convoluted coastline, Chilean dolphins prefer to live near areas of particularly strong tidal flow above a steep dropping shelf. They are most commonly found in channels and open coasts and bays. They are also found in areas of tide rips at the mouth of fjords. They prefer cold, shallow water at depths of 3 to 15 m. They may also enter rivers and estuaries and can be seen as far as 5 kilometers upstream. (Brownell and Donovan, 1988; Grzimek, 2004; Reeves et al., 2002; Ridgway and Harrison, 1994)

These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
temperate ; saltwater or marine .

Aquatic Biomes:
rivers and streams; coastal ; brackish water .

Physical Description

Mass
25 to 75 kg; avg. 50 kg
(55 to 165 lbs; avg. 110 lbs)


Length
1.60 m (average)
(5.25 ft)


Resembling fellow Cephalorhynchus species, Chilean dolphins are generally described as small and chunky with lengths of about 1.65 m for both males and females. These dolphins weigh approximately 57 kg, females may be slightly larger than males. Chilean dolphins have a stout, torpedo-like shape and can have a girth of up to two-thirds of their length. The head is conical in shape and lacks a beak and melon. The mouth line is fairly long and a groove on the sides of the face is present. The eyes are positioned just behind the mouth. The dorsal fin is low and triangular, with a long leading edge that is almost S-shaped. The flippers are rounded and medium sized. Some animals may also have serrations occurring along the edge of the flippers. Chilean dolphins are dark except for three areas of white on the throat, behind the flippers, and around the anal area. The rest of the body is a complex mix of dark tones. Areas of dark gray cover the flippers, flukes, back and dorsal fin whereas lighter gray tones cover the head and sides. The blowhole may be pale gray. (Brownell and Donovan, 1988; Jefferson, Webber, and Pitman, 2007; Macdonald, 1984; Reeves et al., 2002; Ridgway and Harrison, 1994)

Chilean dolphins overlap in habitat with Commerson's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii). They can be distinguished by the lack of a conspicuous white area on the sides and back. Burmeister's porpoises (Phocoena spinipinnis) may also be confused, but they have more slender dorsal fins that are positioned farther back and a lower profile and more pointed peak. (Brownell and Donovan, 1988; Jefferson, Webber, and Pitman, 2007; Macdonald, 1984; Reeves et al., 2002; Ridgway and Harrison, 1994)

Some key physical features:
endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry .

Sexual dimorphism: female larger.

Reproduction

Breeding interval
Females generally have one calf every two years.

Breeding season
Chilean dolphins breed in the winter.

Number of offspring
1 (average)

Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
5 to 9 years

Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
5 to 9 years

Little is known about the mating system and mating behavior of this species.

Chilean dolphins mate in the early winter and bear young in the spring. Females have one calf every two years. Sexual maturity is reached in 5 to 9 years. Other aspects of Chilean dolphin reproduction are not well understood. (Grzimek, 2004)

Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous .

Female Chilean dolphins invest heavily in young through gestation and lactation. Like other dolphins, young are likely to remain with their parents for long periods during which they learn complex social behaviors, navigation, and foraging.

Parental investment:
precocial ; pre-fertilization (provisioning, protecting: female); pre-hatching/birth (provisioning: female, protecting: female); pre-weaning/fledging (provisioning: female, protecting: female); pre-independence (protecting: female).

Lifespan/Longevity

Although longevity has not been determined in Chilean dolphins, the related species, Commerson's dolphins and Hector's dolphins have a lifespan of up to 20 years. (Brownell and Donovan, 1988)

Behavior

Chilean dolphins are usually found in small groups of 2 to 3, although they can be found in groups of up to 20 individuals. Rarely, schools of 20 to 50 individuals have been sighted, particularly in the northern part of their range. In the southern portions of their range, they tend to avoid boats. All reports indicate that these dolphins are extremely shy and difficult to approach. Chilean dolphins have exhibited epimeletic behavior, in which healthy individuals provide assistance to injured individuals. A sub adult female, shot through the heart and aorta, was accompanied by several other animals during the time the animal was brought aboard. The animals then quickly fled after the female was brought out of the water. In contrast, an adult male that was shot was observed to be immediately abandoned by its group. (Brownell and Donovan, 1988; Macdonald, 1984; Reeves et al., 2002; Ridgway and Harrison, 1994; Wilson and Reeder, 1993)

Home Range

Little is known about the home range and migration patterns of this species, although they are thought to be relatively sedentary.

Key behaviors:
natatorial ; motile ; sedentary ; social .

Communication and Perception

Chilean dolphins produce "cries" consisting of rapid pulses at very low levels. Recording equipment at the time was not sufficient to capture the full extent of their sounds. They use echolocation to navigate their environment. (Brownell and Donovan, 1988; Ridgway and Harrison, 1994)

Communicates with:
visual ; acoustic .

Perception channels:
visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; ultrasound ; echolocation ; chemical .

Food Habits

Chilean dolphins commonly feed on small schooling fish, such as sardines (Strangomera bentincki), squid (Loligo gahi, for example), and crustaceans (such as Munida subrugosa). Chilean dolphins which have been observed near salmon hatcheries may eat young, newly released salmon. (Reeves et al., 2002; Ridgway and Harrison, 1994)

Primary Diet:
carnivore (piscivore , eats non-insect arthropods, molluscivore ).

Animal Foods:
fish; mollusks; aquatic crustaceans.

Predation

Chilean dolphins are agile and fast swimmers. Natural predation on Chilean dolphins has not been observed, but they may fall prey to sharks and killer whales. (Ridgway and Harrison, 1994)

Ecosystem Roles

It is unknown how Chilean dolphins impact their ecosystem. (Ridgway and Harrison, 1994)

Commensal or parasitic species (or larger taxonomic groups) that use this species as a host

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

There are no known adverse effects of Chilean dolphins on humans. (IUCN, 2008)

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Chilean dolphins have been hunted in the past for food and as bait for lucrative crab farming. Fisherman use the meat from the dolphins as bait to catch king crabs although this practice is now illegal. (IUCN, 2008; Reeves et al., 2002)

Ways that people benefit from these animals:
food .

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: [link]:
Data Deficient.

US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.

CITES: [link]:
Appendix II.

Chilean dolphins are listed as near threatened by the IUCN. Exact populations are difficult to measure but populations are considered in decline. Chilean dolphins have been hunted for food and as crab bait for generations. These dolphins are also accidentally caught in coastal gillnets. They also suffer from habitat encroachment by coastal salmon farming. More accurate information on Chilean dolphin populations and the threats they face is needed to formulate a conservation plan. (IUCN, 2008; Reeves et al., 2002)

Other Comments

Extensive research on Chilean dolphins has yet to be conducted. They were previously called "black dolphins" because specimens that had died were darkened from exposure to air and sun. Animals seen at a distance in the water appeared black as well. This was largely unhelpful and ill-chosen as the species is shades of dark and light gray as opposed to black. (IUCN, 2008; Jefferson, Webber, and Pitman, 2007; Reeves et al., 2002)

For More Information

Find Cephalorhynchus eutropia information at

Contributors

Bob Fan (author), University of Michigan. Phil Myers (editor, instructor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan.
Tanya Dewey (editor), Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.

References

Brownell, R., G. Donovan. 1988. Biology of the Genus Cephalorhynchus. Reports of the International Whaling Commision, Special Issue 9: 197-279.

Grzimek, B. 2004. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Detroit: Thomson-Gale.

IUCN, 2008. "IUCN 2008 Red List" (On-line). IUCN. Accessed April 04, 2009 at http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/4160.

Jefferson, T., M. Webber, R. Pitman. 2007. Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification. New York: Academic Press.

Macdonald, D. 1984. The Encyclopedia of mammals. New York: Oxford University Press.

Reeves, R., B. Stewart, P. Clapham, J. Powell. 2002. Sea Mammals of the World. London: A&C Black Publishers.

Ridgway, S., R. Harrison. 1994. Handbook of Marine Mammals. London: Academic Press.

Wilson, D., D. Reeder. 1993. Mammal Species of the World; a taxonomic and geographic reference. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press..

2009/12/06 02:03:16.587 US/Eastern

To cite this page: Fan, B. and P. Myers. 2009. "Cephalorhynchus eutropia" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed December 07, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Cephalorhynchus_eutropia.html.

Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

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