title: Biology and Conservation of the Taiwanese Humpback Dolphin, Sousa chinensis taiwanensis.
abstract: The humpback dolphins of the eastern Taiwan Strait were first discovered scientifically in 2002 and since then have received much research attention. We reviewed all information published in peer-reviewed scientific journals on these dolphins and where appropriate and available, peer-reviewed scientific workshop reports and graduate theses were also examined. Recent evidence demonstrated that this population warranted recognition as a subspecies, Sousa chinensis taiwanensis. It is found in a highly restricted and linear strip of coastal waters along central western Taiwan. Numbering fewer than 80 individuals and declining, five main threats (fisheries interactions, habitat loss and degradation, loss of freshwater to estuaries within their habitat, air and water pollution, and noise) threaten the future existence of this subspecies. These dolphins have cultural and religious importance and boast the highest level of legal protection for wildlife in Taiwan. However, despite enormous efforts by local and international non-governmental groups urging immediate conservation actions, there have been no real government efforts to mitigate any existing threats; instead, some of these threats have worsened. Based on recent studies, we suggest the IUCN Red List status be revised to Critically Endangered CR 2a(ii); D for the subspecies.
authors.affiliation: CetAsia Research Group, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Checheng, Pingtung County, Taiwan. Electronic address: cetasiajohn@gmail.com.
authors.forename: John Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: CetAsia Research Group, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kimberly N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Riehl
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Michelle N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Shiva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Javdan
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jordan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarah Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Dungan
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Dares
authors.affiliation: CetAsia Research Group, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada; Botos do Cerrado-Pesquisas Ambientais, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claryana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Araújo-Wang
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004289:Dolphins / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D056727:Endangered Species; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013624:Taiwan
keywords: Biology; Conservation; Critically endangered; Eastern Taiwan Strait; Sousa chinensis taiwanensis; Subspecies; Taiwanese humpback dolphin