Taxon name
Neophocaena phocaenoides
G. Cuvier, 1829
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Neophocaena phocaenoides
G. Cuvier, 1829
Common name(s)
Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoise, Finless Porpoise, Paknahin Choto Shishu, Pakh-heen Porpoise
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Species authority
G. Cuvier, 1829
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
The recognition of two externally distinct morphological forms of Finless Porpoises as separate biological species (Neophocaena phocaenoides and N. asiaeorientalis) was accepted recently when it was demonstrated that the two forms are reproductively isola
Delphinus phocaenoides G. Cuvier, 1829
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
Bangladesh
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Near Threatened
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
This species is found in brackish water in the Sundarbans mangrove swamps, coastal and marine waters of the Bay of Bengal. No population size reduction or decline is known. Its Extent of Occurrence is 25,237 km2 (>20,000 km² threshold) and Area of Occupancy is 14,344 km2 (extremely higher than 2,000 km² threshold). Total population size is 1,382 individuals (number of calf is unknown) in coastal waters in the Bay of Bengal (Smith et al. 2008) which is larger than the threshold level. It does not fulfill any of the criteria to qualify threatened categories this species has been categorized as Near Threatened based on its existing threats.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Md. Zahangir Alom
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
http://iucnredlistbd.org/
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
It occurs in Indo-Pacific; warm-temperate to tropical waters; Persian Gulf to Malaysia, north coast of Java (Tasan and Leatherwood 1984), China and Japan; coastal waters and some rivers (Wilson and Reeder 2003). Mainly in coastal waters in the Bay of Bengal with higher salinity and depth than Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes, in the publication/on website
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
It is found as single, pairs or groups of up to 7 animals (Smith et al. 2008). They prefer habitat with sandy and soft bottom, and feed on small fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans (mainly demersal species) (Jefferson and Hung 2004). They prefer mangrove swamps, estuarine brackish, coastal and marine water in the Bay of Bengal. They prefer water depth from 5.9-16.0 meter and salinity from 15.0-32.0 ppt.
History
Endangered in Bangladesh (IUCN Bangladesh 2000).
Publication
IUCN Bangladesh. 2015. Red List of Bangladesh Volume 2: Mammals. IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp. xvi+232
