Distribution and Habitat Characteristics of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin (Sousa chinensis)in the Northern Beibu Gulf, China

• DOI: 10.1578/am.43.2.2017.219
• Publication Date: 2017-03-12T19:57:02Z
• Authors: Haiping Wu; Thomas A. Jefferson; Chongwei Peng; Yongyan Liao; Hu Huang; Mingli Lin; Zhaolong Cheng; Mingming Liu; Jingxu Zhang; Songhai Li; Ding Wang; Youhou Xu; Shiang-Lin Huang
• Keywords: Indo-Pacific; Southern china

Studies on the distribution and habitat characteristics of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) indicate a general preference toward estuarine environments. However, quantitative connections between this are seldom investigated. Distribution in northern Beibu Gulf, China, was evaluated through systematically designed surveys compared to oceanographic from on-board measured remotely sensed variables. The dolphins' core zone, by 50% kernel density estimate (50% KDE), confined Dafengjiang River Estuary 50.23 km(2) area, with steep-edged underwater sand bar below locally high chlorophyll-a concentration. surface salinity showed an eco-cline environment which riverine runoff mixes sea water KDE. We found significant relationships probability two variables: (1) depth (2) This associates dolphins regional productivity biodiversity peaks that may facilitate prey aggregation. As inhabit comparable environments other locations throughout their range, features KDE help provide proxies identify key habitats over broader spatial scale.