关键词: 中华白海豚, 分布, 数量, 围头湾, 厦门

Abstract: The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis Osbeck, 1765, hereafter referred to as humpback dolphin) in Xiamen waters, South China Sea, is a threatened population. Previous field surveys on this population have been conducted in Xiamen waters, as well as adjacent waters of Zhangzhou in the south. Supplementary, the present study expanded boat-based surveys and photo-identification of humpback dolphin to the east, including waters of Weitou Bay, Jinjiang City as well as Xiaodeng and partial Dadeng Island, during June to August, 2013, to obtain the basic information on distribution and abundance of humpback dolphin in this region. A total of 26 independent humpback dolphin sightings were encountered and 27 individuals were identified. All the individuals identified in Weitou Bay were matched in the photo-identification database of Xiamen humpback dolphin, indicating that humpback dolphin in Weitou Bay is a partial expand to Xiamen waters. The overall encounter rates in the present study area were 5.8 sightings/100km and 24.8 individuals/100km, which were higher than those in other waters in Xiamen, indicating this area is a critical habitat for humpback dolphins, and deserves high priority for conservation and management.

Key words: Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin,Sousa chinensis, Occurrence, Abundance, Weitou Bay, Xiamen