Peponocephala electra

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List. Global abundance of the Melon-headed Whale is estimated at more than 50,000 individuals, but there are currently no estimates of global population trends. High global abundance, a large distribution, and mostly localized threats mean that a 30 % reduction in abundance during the next three generations is unlikely. There are an estimated 45,400 individuals in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, 3451 individuals in the Gulf of Mexico, 2947 individuals off Hawaii, and ¢. 2200 individuals around the Philippines. The Melon-headed Whale is taken as direct catch in subsistence fisheries in the Caribbean and off Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Philippines, mostly for human consumption and for use as bait in other fisheries. They also are taken occasionally in the infamous Taiji drive fishery ofJapan, and individuals caught live there sometimes have been sold for captive display in aquaria, although the Melon-headed Whale is notorious for being aggressive and difficult to train. The Melon-headed Whale is also sometimes incidentally caught in driftnet fisheries throughout the tropical Pacific Ocean and yellowfin tuna purse-seine fisheries. None of these fisheries, where the Melon-headed Whale is either directly or indirectly caught, is extensively monitored, so their effect on local populations is unknown. Examination of stranded specimens from Japanese coasts has showed high concentrations of heavy metals (e. g. cadmium, and mercury) and high, although decreasing (over the last ¢. 30 years), levels of PCBs and DDT. Concentrations of PBDEs have been increasing over the last 20 years. The Melon-headed Whale is also vulnerable to loud anthropogenic noise. Military training exercises around the Hawaiian Islands were implicated in anomalous movements or “ near stranding ” of a group of 150 - 200 Melon-headed Whales into a shallow, confined bay in Kauai, Hawaii; they stayed for more than 28 hours, presumably to avoid the noise. Stranded specimens have also been found to have swallowed various plastic items, which may have been partly responsible for their deaths.

Sumber: Delphinidae

Descriptive notes. Total length up to 280 cm; weight up to 275 kg. Neonates may be up to 100 cm long and weigh 15 - 20 kg. Male Melon-headed Whales tend to be slightly larger than females. The Melon-headed Whale is very similar in appearance to the Pygmy Killer Whale (Feresa attenuata). It is moderately robust in stature, with bulbous, although not overly round, head with barely visible beak, tall falcate dorsal fin, and sickle-shaped flippers. More triangularshaped head and more sharply pointed flippers distinguish it from the Pygmy Killer Whale. Skin is dark gray, but darker colored cape may be discernable along back, dipping below dorsal fin. Lips are usually white, and white — to — pale-gray patches are often present on throat and extend along ventral body to urogenital region. Dark band may also extend from blowhole anteriorly along melon, and dark eye patches may extend from eyes up and forward toward front of melon, resulting in a mask-like appearance. Males tend to have longer dorsal fins and flippers, more distinct post-anal humpjust anteriorto tail flukes, and more bulbous melon than females. Young Melonheaded Whales may have more sloping melon than adults. There are 20 - 25 pairs of small, slender teeth in each jaw.

Sumber: Delphinidae

Distribution. Worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters from c. 40 ° N to ¢. 35 ° §, including the Gulf of Mexico, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, South China Sea, and Timor Sea.

Sumber: Delphinidae