Australian snubfin dolphin [SEP] parent taxon
Australian snubfin dolphin
The Australian snubfin dolphin ("Orcaella heinsohni") is a dolphin found off the northern coasts of Australia. It closely resembles the Irrawaddy dolphin (of the same genus, "Orcaella") and was not described as a separate species until 2005. The closest relative to the genus "Orcaella" is the killer whale, "Orcinus orca". The Australian snubfin has three colors on its skin, while the Irrawaddy dolphin only has two. The skull and the fins also show minor differences between the
to bycatch. After more conclusive data is collected, a reassessment of the species has the potential to be categorized as either Vulnerable or Endangered.
Conservation Australian Snubfin dolphin Threats.
Due to its occurrence in the close proximity to the Australian/New Guinean shore, the Australian Snubfin dolphin is threatened by anthropogenic causes. A significant number of Australian Snubfin dolphins are killed by anti-shark nets used to protect bathers and inshore gill-nets embedded across creeks and rivers. However, compared to the Irrawaddy dolphin, the Australian Snubfin dolphins