Солтүстік Атлант ақжанау дельфині

Species of mammal

The Atlantic white sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) is a distinctively coloured dolphin found in the cool to temperate waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.

The Atlantic white sided dolphin is built slightly 'thicker' compared to other oceanic dolphins; they are nearly indistinguishable from the Pacific white sided dolphin, despite the fact that they are only very distantly related phylogenetically. weighing between 180–230 kg (400 510 lb) once fully grown. The gestation period is 11 months and lactation lasts for about 18 months — both typical figures for dolphins. In 2008, sightings of Atlantic white sided dolphins, as well as the melon headed whale, were documented off South Carolina after a few strandings had taken place in the area at the time. Along the North American east coast the species tends to occur in continental shelf waters, around 100m in depth, and seem to show a preference toward areas of steep slopes and canyons. They are associated with the colder, slightly less saline waters in the northern Atlantic, compared to for example common dolphins that are found in warmer, slightly more saline waters of the North Atlantic, though it is unclear whether this is due to preferences or if these factors influence prey supply.

The diet of Atlantic white sided dolphins mainly consists of herring, hake and squid. The pod’s size can vary, from several dozen to several hundred individuals, though the average size is around 50. However, studies have shown there to be little familial relation between members of a group, appearing more as a social pod traveling for "safety in numbers". Researchers in different parts of their range have found that individuals were, mostly, unrelated to one another. Juveniles spend at least some time in separate social groups, away from their parents, prior to weaning. It is suggested that vocalisation is used for communication as noise production increases during socialising. they have also been known to display violent behavior towards harbor porpoises, attacking them until they eventually succumb to their wounds (a similar behavior as observed in bottlenose dolphins).

Atlantic white sided dolphins do not undertake specific seasonal migration. It has therefore been proposed to move the Atlantic white sided dolphin to its own genus, Leucopleurus.

The International Union of the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies Atlantic white sided dolphins as Least Concern. of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). They are listed on Appendix II These species of dolphin are known to fall victims to in a polluted environment, a study from 1997 confirmed that the British and Irish populations of Atlantic white sided dolphins to succumb to these effects. In addition, the Atlantic white sided dolphin is covered by the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS).