The Franciscana Dolphin

On the Edge of Survival

Paulo Cesar Simoes-Lopes, Marta Jussara Cremer

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN:
  9780323909747
• eBook ISBN:
  9780323903479
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Marine Biology
• Index: Biological Sciences

The Franciscana Dolphin: On the Edge of Survival provides the most updated and comprehensive knowledge on the most endangered marine mammal in the Western South Atlantic Ocean. It synthesizes all available information on this dolphin species, also referred to as La Plata dolphin, ranging from taxonomy, evolution, diet, parasites and diseases, reproduction and growth, to genetic diversity and stock definition, distribution, abundance, behavior, as well as the threats and causes behind the dwindling population numbers. Written by international experts, this book explores aspects of the species' natural history and urgent problems of accidental mortality in fishing nets, contamination, and habitat loss. It offers the most current research and practices on rehabilitating debilitated animals and presents initiatives at the regional and international level for species conservation, including current and potential strategies related to marine protected areas and public policies. The Franciscana Dolphin: On the Edge of Survival is an important resource for researchers and practitioners in marine conservation, marine biology, and zoology, particularly those who seek to gain the most reputable information on vulnerable marine mammal species for conservation efforts. Policymakers and public officials involved in environmental protection and planning will also find this useful to combat similar threats with other dolphin species around the world - Offers the most up-to-date research of the species' natural history, biology and ecology - Discusses current threats and solutions for species conservation, which can be applied to other marine mammal species - Provides updates on national and international agreements and policies for conservation efforts

Table of contents

• Cover
• Front Matter
• Table of Contents
• Front Matter
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Contributors
• Preface
• List of Illustrations
• List of Tables
• Chapter 1 : Taxonomy, skeletal morphology, and evolutionary history
• Chapter 2 : Overview of franciscana diet
• Chapter 3 : Macroparasites of franciscana: what can their coexistence say to conservationists?
• Chapter 4 : Pathologies and diseases
• Chapter 5 : The life history of franciscana dolphins
• Chapter 6 : Genetic diversity, population structure, and phylogeography
• Chapter 7 : Abundance estimates of franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei): a review and future recommendations
• Chapter 8 : Behavior and movement patterns of franciscana dolphins
• Chapter 9 : Acoustic repertoire and bioacoustics applications
• Chapter 10 : Is the franciscana bycatch in gillnet fisheries sustainable?
• Chapter 11 : Chemical pollution and franciscana—a review
• Chapter 12 : Coastal development and habitat loss: understanding and resolving associated threats to the franciscana, Pontoporia blainvillei
• Chapter 13 : Long-term patterns of franciscana strandings throughout its distribution
• Chapter 14 : Rehabilitation of stranded specimens
• Chapter 15 : Alternative fishing methods, the potential use of “pingers,” and other solutions to reduce the bycatch of franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei)
• Chapter 16 : Gillnet fishing characteristics in Franciscana Management Areas
• Chapter 17 : Ethnoecological approaches and fishermen perception
• Chapter 18 : Marine protected areas: Their potential for the conservation of the franciscana
• Chapter 19 : International and regional agreements, national legislation, and public policies
• Index
• A