Lipotes vexillifer, Yangtze River Dolphin [+]
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Cetacea
Family Iniidae
Genus Lipotes
species: Lipotes vexillifer [+ITIS +WoRMS]
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Description & Behavior
Yangtze river dolphins, Lipotes vexillifer (Miller, 1918), (aka Chinese river dolphin, baiji, Pei C'hi, whitefin dolphin, whiteflag dolphin), are listed as critically endangered and are nearly extinct.
They are pale blue to gray in color on the dorsal side, white on the ventral side. Their upward-curved beaks are long with 32-36 teeth on either side of the jaws. The rostrum is bowed slightly upward and the eyes are situated high on the head. Unlike the Amazon river dolphin, Yangtze river dolphins lack hairs on their beak and their blowhole is oval.
World Range & Habitat
Yangtze river dolphins, L. vexillifer, are found in China from the mouth of the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) river and north about 1,900 km upriver. They are also found in the middle to lower regions of the Quintangjiang River. This is a gregarious species usually found in pairs larger groups of about 10 individuals.
Feeding Behavior (Ecology)
The Yangtze river dolphin, Lipotes vexillifer, primarily feeds on river fish. Their long beaks are used to probe muddy bottoms for prey. They dive for only about 10-20 seconds. Unlike Amazon river dolphins, Yangtze river dolphins have poor eyesight. They do, however, have highly developed echolocation used to find food.
Life History
Information on the reproductive behavior of the Yangtze river dolphin, Lipotes vexillifer, is scarce. It is known that they reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years of age. Mating season occurs in spring and autumn and the gestation period lasts between 6-12 months. Mothers keep their calves near after giving birth.
Conservation Status/Additional Comments
Yangtze river dolphins are one of the most highly endangered species in the cetacean family with an estimated population between 60-250 animals though recent surveys have not found a single individual. Threats to their survival include blockage of fish migrations by dams causing a reduction in available prey, accidental hooking by fishermen, and boat propellers. Pollution in the Yangtze river also threatens this species. They have been legally protected in China since 1975 and programs to breed Yangtze river dolphins in captivity have been established to preserve the species.
Visit the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species program and the Baiji Foundation for more information on this species and their current status and projects designed to protect them from extinction.
References & Further Research
BioOne ~ CITES ~ Discover Life ~ GBIF ~ Google Scholar ~ ITIS ~ IUCN RedList ~ MarineBio Network ~ NCBI ~ SCIRIS ~ SIRIS ~ Tree of Life Web Project ~ Wikipedia
Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood, and M.A. Webber, FAO species identification guide, Marine mammals of the world, Rome, FAO. 1993. 320 p. 587 figs.
baiji.org foundation - promotes the conservation of Yangtze freshwater dolphins and the habitats in which they live – part of a greater mission to conserve the biodiversity of the entire Yangtze basin.
Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)
Ames, M.H. "Saving some cetaceans may require breeding in captivity". Bioscience. vol. 41, 746-9.
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