| Tucuxi | |
|---|---|
| Size comparison against an average human | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Cetacea |
| Family: | Delphinidae |
| Genus: | Sotalia |
| Species: | S. fluviatilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Sotalia fluviatilis (Gervais & Deville, 1853) |
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| Tucuxi's range (inland–hatched pattern) | |
The tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis), alternately bufeo gris or bufeo negro (both in Peru) is a dolphin found in the rivers of the Amazon Basin. The word tucuxi is derived from the Tupi language word tuchuchi-ana, and has now been adopted as the species' common name. Despite being found in geographic locations similar to those of 'true' river dolphins, such as the boto, the tucuxi is not closely related to them genetically. Instead, it is classed in the oceanic dolphin family (Delphinidae). Physically, the species, particularly the marine variety, resembles the bottlenose dolphin. However, this species is sufficiently different from the bottlenose dolphin that it is given its own genus, Sotalia. Animals formerly called the tucuxi occurring in coastal and estuarine environments have recently been recognized as a distinct species, the costero (Sotalia guianensis), also known as the pink dolphin.
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The tucuxi is frequently described (see references below) as looking similar to the bottlenose dolphin, but it is typically smaller at around 150 cm. The dolphin is coloured light to bluish grey on its back and sides. The ventral region is much lighter, often pinkish. The dorsal fluke is typically slightly hooked. The beak is well-defined and of moderate length. There are 26 to 36 pairs of teeth in the upper and lower jaws.
The tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis was described by Gervais and Deville in 1853, and the costero Sotalia guianensis by Pierre-Joseph van Bénéden in 1864. These two species were subsequently synonymized, with the two species being treated as subspecies of marine and freshwater varieties.[2] The first to reassert differences between these two species was a three-dimensional morphometric study of Monteiro-Filho and colleagues.[3] Subsequently, a molecular analysis by Cunha and colleagues[4] unambiguously demonstrated that Sotalia guianensis was genetically differentiated from Sotalia fluviatilis. This finding was reiterated by Caballero and colleagues[5] with a larger number of genes. The existence of two species has been generally accepted by the scientific community; the IUCN, though, still treats both as a single species, Sotalia fluviatilis.
The tucuxi exists along much the length of the Amazon River and many of its tributaries, and is found in Brazil, Peru, southeastern Colombia, and eastern Ecuador. Numerous individuals have been seen in the Orinoco River further north, though it is not clear whether these are tucuxi or costero.
The tucuxi exists in small groups of about 10-15 individuals, and swim in tight-knit groups, suggesting a highly developed social structure. Tucuxis are quite active and may jump clear of the water (a behavior known as breaching), somersault, spy-hop or tail-splash. They are unlikely, however, to approach boats.
Tucuxis have been observed to feed with other river dolphins. They feed on a wide variety of fish. Studies of growth layers suggest the species can live up to 35 years.
The tucuxi is endemic to the regions described above; although no precise estimates of population are available, it is common. A significant human problem are fishing nets. Deliberate hunting in the Amazon Basin for food has also been reported. Pollution, in particular mercury poisoning of water due to gold mining, is a particular concern for this species.
Tucuxis are observed not to maintain good health and attitude in captive environments. A few tucuxis remained in captivity in European aquaria, but the last one ("Paco") died in 2009 in the Zoo of Münster, Germany.
The tucuxi is listed on Appendix II[6] of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). It is listed on Appendix II[6] as it has an unfavourable conservation status or would benefit significantly from international co-operation organised by tailored agreements.