Delphinus capensis Gray, 1828

Jo, Yeong-Seok, Baccus, John T. & Koprowski, John L., 2018, Mammals of Korea: a review of their taxonomy, distribution and conservation status, Zootaxa 4522 (1), pp. 1-216 : 153-154

Delphinus capensis Gray, 1828 —Long-beaked Common Dolphin

Delphinus capensis Gray, 1828 p.2 ; Type locality- Cape of Good Hope, South Africa; Kuroda, 1938 p.15; Kim et al., 2000 p.96; Kim, 2004 p.242.

D. bairdii Dall, 1873 p.12 ; Type locality- Coast of California, US.

Range: Delphinus capensis is readily observed along the east coast of Korea during spring and autumn with the peak of occurrence in spring; this dolphin rarely occurs along the coast of Korea in winter ( Fig. 103 ).

Remarks: All common dolphins were classified in a single species, D. delphis , until 1994. Heyning and Perrin (1994), later confirmed by Kingston and Rosel (2004), recognized two distinct species: the long-beaked common dolphin ( D. capensis ) and the short-beaked common dolphin ( D. delphis ). The taxonomic status of D. capensis has been further clarified in a morphometric study ( Jefferson & Van Waerebeek 2002). Delphinus capensis may be difficult to distinguish from D. delphis , especially at sea. The slender body and longer beak contrast with the shortbeaked common dolphin. The beak has a sharp demarcation from the somewhat flattened melon. The slightly muted coloration and a chin-to-flipper stripe, which often merges with the lip patch, thus darkening the lower jaw, is broader ( Jefferson et al. 2008). Since D. delphis is very rare in Korean waters ( Amano 2009a, b), previous records of D. delphis in Korea were mostly D. capensis . The Subspecies, D. c. capensis Gray, 1828 , occupies the waters of Korea.

Figures

FIGURE 103. Range map of Delphinus capensis in Korea.