Anomalously Pigmented Common Dolphins (Delphinus Anomalously Pigmented Common Dolphins (Delphinus Anomalously Pigmented Common Dolphins ( sp.) off Northern New Zealand

Anomalous pigmentations have been recorded in many cetacean species. However, typically only one variation is reported from a population at a time (e.g., an albino). Here we record a spectrum of pigmentation from common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) off northern New Zealand. Allblack, dark-morph, pale-morph, and all-white individuals, as well as variations between these have been recorded. Pale-coloured pectoral flippers are prevalent, and a number of individuals with white “helmets” have been observed.

[1]  I. Visser,et al.  Melanistic southern right‐whale dolphins (Lissodelphis peronii) off Kaikoura, New Zealand, with records of other anomalously all‐black cetaceans , 2004 .

[2]  R. W. Baird,et al.  Natural hybridization between Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli) and harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) , 2004 .

[3]  C. Olavarría,et al.  Occurrence and long-term residency of two long-beaked common dolphins, Delphinus capensis (Gray 1828), in adjacent small bays on the Chilean central coast , 2003 .

[4]  D. Duffield,et al.  Captive-born bottlenose dolphin × common dolphin (Tursiops truncatus × Delphinus capensis) intergeneric hybrids , 2003 .

[5]  T. Jefferson,et al.  THE TAXONOMIC STATUS OF THE NOMINAL DOLPHIN SPECIES DELPHINUS TROPICALIS VAN BREE, 1971 , 2002 .

[6]  D. Neumann,et al.  Photo‐identification of short‐beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in north‐east New Zealand: A photo‐catalogue of recognisable individuals , 2002 .

[7]  D. Neumann.  Seasonal movements of short‐beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the north‐western Bay of Plenty, New Zealand: Influence of sea surface temperature and El Niño/La Niña , 2001 .

[8]  K. Schneider,et al.  Near-shore distribution and abundance of dolphins along the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand , 1998 .

[9]  J. Barlow,et al.  AN ANOMALOUSLY PIGMENTED FORM OF THE SHORT‐BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN (DELPHINUS DELPHIS) FROM THE SOUTHWESTERN PACIFIC, EASTERN PACIFIC, AND EASTERN ATLANTIC , 1995 .

[10]  R. Reeves,et al.  Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises: of the Eastern North Pacific and Adjacent Arctic Waters, A Guide to Their Identification , 1988 .

[11]  S. Leatherwood,et al.  Two Sightings of White Pilot Whales, Globicephala melaena, and Summarized Records of Anomalously White Cetaceans , 1982 .

[12]  B. Webb.  Dolphin sightings, Tasman bay to Cook Strait, New Zealand, September 1968‐June 1969 (note) , 1973 .

[13]  E. Mitchell.  Pigmentation pattern evolution in delphinid cetaceans: an essay in adaptive coloration , 1970 .

[14]  D. E. Gaskin.  Distribution of Delphinidae (Cetacea) in relation to sea surface temperatures off Eastern and Southern New Zealand , 1968 .

[15]  J. Conran,et al.  Common Dolphins (Delphinus Delphis) In Southern Australia: A Morphometric Study , 2002 .

[16]  D. Fertl,et al.  FIRST RECORD OF AN ALBINO BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (TURSSIOPS TRUNCATUS) IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, WITH A REVIEW OF ANOMALOUSLY WHITE CETACEANS , 1999 .

[17]  A. Baker.  Book Review: Whales and Dolphins of New Zealand and Australia. An Identification Guide , 1983 .