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Phocoena sinus (Gulf of California Harbor Porpoise)

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Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Scientific Name Phocoena sinus
Taxonomic Rank Species
Original Description Norris and McFarland, 1958
Scientific Synonyms (since 1950)
None.
Common Name
Gulf of California Harbor Porpoise
All Common Names English: Gulf of California harbor porpoise, vaquita
Spanish: Marsopa vaquita, cochito
Taxonomic Parents Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Chordata
    Subphylum: Vertebrata
      Class: Mammalia
        Subclass: Theria
          Infraclass: Eutheria
            Order: Cetacea
              Suborder: Odontoceti
                Family: Phocoenidae
                  Genus: Phocoena
Taxonomic Children
Taxonomic # 180474
Taxonomic data is courtesy of the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)

Physical Description / Field Identification
The vaquita is among the smallest of all marine cetaceans. Compared to other phocoenids, it has a taller, more falcate dorsal fin and larger flippers. Like all porpoises, it is stocky, with a blunt beakless head.

Vaquitas have black to dark gray lip patches and eye rings; otherwise the body is light brownish gray. Calves tend to be somewhat darker than adults.

In the small number of specimens examined to date, there have been 16-22 pairs of teeth in the upper jaw and 17-20 pairs in the lower jaw.

Known maximum length is 1.5 m (females) and 1.45 m (males), but very few specimens have been examined.

Can be Confused With
When seen at a distance, the tall dorsal fin of the vaquita must be distinguished from those of bottlenose and long-beaked common dolphins, both of which are common in the vaquita's range. However, the small group size and unique body shape will generally allow the vaquita to be distinguished.

Distribution
The restricted distribution of the vaquita appears to be defined by relatively murky coastal waters in the northern quarter of the Gulf of California, although there are some suggestions that the range may extend further south in the Gulf as well.
Links to Distribution Map at Sea Around Us Project

Map of OBIS-SEAMAP Data Points

Existing observations across multiple datasets within OBIS-SEAMAP are indicated with red points.
Species distributions (pink background polygon if present) were digitized by Kristin Kaschner as part of the Sea Around Us Project predominantly from Jefferson et al (1993).

Reference
Jefferson, T.A., S. Leatherwood, and M.A. Webber. 1993. FAO species identification guide. Marine mammals of the world. Rome, FAO. 1993.320. p. 587 figs.

Ecology and Behavior
Very little is known of the biology of the vaquita. As is generally true for porpoises, they occur in small groups, most often of about two, although groups of up to 8-10 have been sighted. They are relatively inconspicuous in their behavior, and are not known to ride bow waves. Aerial behavior is rare.

Most calving apparently occurs in the spring.


Feeding and Prey
Only 34 stomachs have been examined, and the contents indicated opportunistic feeding on a wide array of demersal and benthic fishes, squids, and crustaceans.

Threats and Status
The vaquita, along with the baiji, is one of the two most endangered species of cetaceans in the world. There are a number of potential identified threats, including habitat changes associated with reduction in freshwater flow to the Gulf, inbreeding depression, and environmental contamination. By far, however, main threat is incidental catches in fisheries, especially various bottom-set gillnets. Estimated annual mortality from gillnet fishing is 39-84 vaquitas per year, which is thought to be unsustainable. Conservation of the vaquita is being achieved through the creation of a biosphere reserve in the upper Gulf of California, and the establishment of an international committee to recommend protection measures. Critically Endangered (IUCN); Endangered (ESA).

References

JARAMILLO-LEGORRETA, A. M., L. ROJAS-BRACHO, AND T. GERRODETTE. 1999. A new abundance estimate for vaquitas first step for recovery. Marine Mammal Science 15:957-973.

ROJAS-BRACHO, L., AND B. L. TAYLOR. 1999. Risk factors affecting the vaquita (Phocoena sinus). Marine Mammal Science 15:974-989.

ROJAS-BRACHO, L. AND A. JARAMILLO-LEGORRETA 2002. Vaquita Phocoena sinus. Pp. 1277-1280 in W. F. Perrin, B. Würsig and J. G. M. Thewissen, eds. Encyclopedia of marine mammals. Academic Press.

SILBER, G. K., AND K. S. NORRIS. 1991. Geographic and seasonal distribution of the vaquita, Phocoena sinus. Anales de la Instituto Biologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Serie Zoologie 62:263-268.

VIDAL, O. 1995. Population biology and incidental mortality of the vaquita, Phocoena sinus. Reports of the International Whaling Commission Special Issue 16:247-272.

VIDAL, O., R. L. BROWNELL JR., AND L. T. FINDLAY. 1999. Vaquita Phocoena sinus Norris and McFarland, 1958. Pp. 357-378 in S. H. Ridgway and R. Harrison, eds. Handbook of marine mammals, Vol. 6 The second book of dolphins and the porpoises. Academic Press.

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