PACIFIC Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)1. At least three key (or cool – or fascinating – or interesting) facts about the species.*The bottlenose dolphin is the most common cetacean species in captivity in the world. This worldwide phenomenon has its origins in the popular TV show Flipper.*Studies show that each dolphin has a special whistle pattern unique to it. This is the dolphin's "first name" in its own language.*There is evidence of self-awareness in the bottlenose dolphin: it can recognize itself in a mirror!2. Scientific name, taxonomic information, common name(s) and related species: The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) is one of three species making up the genus Tursiops along with the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). ) and the recently discovered (2011) Burrunan Dolphin (Tursiops autralis). T. aduncus was recognized as a different species in 1998. Before that, it was thought to be a single broad-nosed species (T. truncatus) with wide variation in morphology and behavior. Tursiops are well-known and famous members of the Delphinidae family. They inhabit warm and temperate waters. Tursiops aduncus is found mainly in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. (See map here: http://maps.iucnredlist.org/map.html?id=41714)3. Description of the species – including size, coloration, range, habitat and estimated population size: The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin measures approximately 2.6 m in length. long (but it can vary geographically) and weighs up to 230 kg. It is smaller than T. Truncatus. The length at birth is between 0.84 and 1.5 m. It is dark gray with lighter ventral coloration. With age, some black or gray spots may appear on his stomach. There was a little ro...... middle of paper ...... sound). She is collecting long-term data to further study the abundance, population dynamics, social structure and habitat use of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Bunbury, southwest Australia. His goal is to increase our understanding of dolphin distribution and habitat and hopes his work will contribute to future conservation and management efforts.9. Three references to further reading.*Marten, K. & Psarakos, S. (1995). "Evidence for self-awareness in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)".*Tyne JA, Loneragan NR, Kopps AM, Allen, SJ, Krützen M, Bejder L. (2012) Ecological traits contribute to sponge distribution and Tool use in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops sp.*Bejder, L., A. Samuels, et al. (2006). “Decline in relative abundance of bottlenose dolphins exposed to long-term disturbance.” Conservation biology 20(6): 1791-1798.