Morphologie externe et pigmentation du dauphin de Commerson, Cephalorhynchus commersonii (Lacépède, 1804), en particulier celui des îles Kerguelen

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Robineau, Daniel
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1984
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Kerguelen; Kerguelen Islands; Îles Kerguelen
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z84-363; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z84-363

Accurate data on the external morphology and color pattern of Commerson's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) off the Kerguelen Islands were obtained by studying 11 individuals. The total length of the animals is 142,6 to 174 cm and their weight ranges between 55 and 86 kg. Their coloration is black, grey, and white; a sexual dimorphism exists in the form of genital patches. As far as I know, these dolphins are much bigger and heavier than South American specimens. Their coloration also differs from the typically black and white pattern of the latter. These characteristics suggest that the Kerguelen Islands population is isolated from the main stock of the species.