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The distribution of the Fitzroy's dolphin is closely linked to highly productive upwelling cells on both sides of South America (Humboldt and Falkland) and off southern Africa (Benguela), with various cold water currents around New Zealand and, at higher latitudes, with several sub-Antarctic islands.
Although southeastern Australia is generally considered to be within the species' range, sightings there are very rare given the extent of the surveys in the region,
suggesting that the species should be considered an occasional migrant rather than resident
Fitzroy's dolphins consume a wide variety of fish and cephalopods, including schooling fish such as anchovies, sardines (Sardina pilchardus) and horse mackerel (Trachurus sp.), as well as benthic species associated with the deep littoral, such as hake (Merluccius sp.), lanternfish (Lampanyctus sp.), hatchetfish and a range of squid species.
In Peru, analysis of the stomach contents of 72 individuals showed that the Peruvian anchovy was the main prey, followed by the slender-tailed lanternfish Lampanyctus parvicauda and the Inca mackerel Trachurus murphyi.
Based on stomach contents and stable isotope methods, black dolphins in northern and central Patagonia feed on Argentine anchovy (Engraulis anchoita), Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi), butterfish (Stromateus brasiliensis) and squid (Illex argentinus, Loligo gahi), as well as some benthic prey items.
In southern Africa, analysis of stranded, caught and killed dolphins as by-catch showed that the stomach contents consisted of 34.7% horse mackerel, 22.9% hake and 12.8% lanternfish, with the occasional sardine, Slope-toed squid (Nototodarus sloanii) and Short-finned squid (Loligo reynaudii) also taken.
In New Zealand, black dolphins near Kaikoura feed mainly on species associated with the deep litter layer, including squid (especially Nototodarus/Todaroides spp. and lanternfish).
In winter, in Admiralty Bay in New Zealand, the species feeds on anchovy (Sardinops neopilchardus), yellow-eyed mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri) and sprat (Sprattus antipodus).
Fitzroy's dolphins use at least two different strategies to catch their prey: they form large groups to drive and attack fish such as anchovies and sardines near the surface in “lures” or, for species that are mainly nocturnal and associated with the deep litter layer but migrate closer to the surface at night, they search for food.
In the latter case, the harbor porpoise appears to have a distinct diurnal movement pattern, returning near the coast during daylight hours when prey is too deep to reach, probably to reduce the risk of being hunted by deep-sea predators such as sharks and killer whales (Orcinus orca).
In both seasons, most of the groups observed were small (fewer than 10 dolphins).
Lagenorhynchus obscurus is one of the dolphins with the highest acrobatic jumps of any species, as can be clearly seen in the first photo.
Predators: Lagenorhynchus obscurus is prey for the orca Orcinus orca and various large sharks.
Synonyms:
Delphinus (Tursio) obscurus Burmeister, 1867 · unaccepted (synonym)
Electra breviceps Gray, 1868 · unaccepted (synonym)
Lagenorhynchus breviceps Gray, 1866 · unaccepted (synonym)
Lagenorhynchus fitzroy Bini, 1951 · unaccepted (synonym)
Lagenorhynchus fitzroyi Flower, 1885 · unaccepted (synonym)
Lissodelphis panope Trouessart, 1904 · unaccepted (synonym)
Phocaena fitzroyi Philippi, 1893 · unaccepted (synonym)
Prodelphinus obscurus Flower, 1885 · unaccepted (synonym)
Tursio obscurus Gray, 1866 · unaccepted (synonym for part of...)
Tursio panope Perez Canto, 1896 · unaccepted (synonym)
Although southeastern Australia is generally considered to be within the species' range, sightings there are very rare given the extent of the surveys in the region,
suggesting that the species should be considered an occasional migrant rather than resident
Fitzroy's dolphins consume a wide variety of fish and cephalopods, including schooling fish such as anchovies, sardines (Sardina pilchardus) and horse mackerel (Trachurus sp.), as well as benthic species associated with the deep littoral, such as hake (Merluccius sp.), lanternfish (Lampanyctus sp.), hatchetfish and a range of squid species.
In Peru, analysis of the stomach contents of 72 individuals showed that the Peruvian anchovy was the main prey, followed by the slender-tailed lanternfish Lampanyctus parvicauda and the Inca mackerel Trachurus murphyi.
Based on stomach contents and stable isotope methods, black dolphins in northern and central Patagonia feed on Argentine anchovy (Engraulis anchoita), Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi), butterfish (Stromateus brasiliensis) and squid (Illex argentinus, Loligo gahi), as well as some benthic prey items.
In southern Africa, analysis of stranded, caught and killed dolphins as by-catch showed that the stomach contents consisted of 34.7% horse mackerel, 22.9% hake and 12.8% lanternfish, with the occasional sardine, Slope-toed squid (Nototodarus sloanii) and Short-finned squid (Loligo reynaudii) also taken.
In New Zealand, black dolphins near Kaikoura feed mainly on species associated with the deep litter layer, including squid (especially Nototodarus/Todaroides spp. and lanternfish).
In winter, in Admiralty Bay in New Zealand, the species feeds on anchovy (Sardinops neopilchardus), yellow-eyed mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri) and sprat (Sprattus antipodus).
Fitzroy's dolphins use at least two different strategies to catch their prey: they form large groups to drive and attack fish such as anchovies and sardines near the surface in “lures” or, for species that are mainly nocturnal and associated with the deep litter layer but migrate closer to the surface at night, they search for food.
In the latter case, the harbor porpoise appears to have a distinct diurnal movement pattern, returning near the coast during daylight hours when prey is too deep to reach, probably to reduce the risk of being hunted by deep-sea predators such as sharks and killer whales (Orcinus orca).
In both seasons, most of the groups observed were small (fewer than 10 dolphins).
Lagenorhynchus obscurus is one of the dolphins with the highest acrobatic jumps of any species, as can be clearly seen in the first photo.
Predators: Lagenorhynchus obscurus is prey for the orca Orcinus orca and various large sharks.
Synonyms:
Delphinus (Tursio) obscurus Burmeister, 1867 · unaccepted (synonym)
Electra breviceps Gray, 1868 · unaccepted (synonym)
Lagenorhynchus breviceps Gray, 1866 · unaccepted (synonym)
Lagenorhynchus fitzroy Bini, 1951 · unaccepted (synonym)
Lagenorhynchus fitzroyi Flower, 1885 · unaccepted (synonym)
Lissodelphis panope Trouessart, 1904 · unaccepted (synonym)
Phocaena fitzroyi Philippi, 1893 · unaccepted (synonym)
Prodelphinus obscurus Flower, 1885 · unaccepted (synonym)
Tursio obscurus Gray, 1866 · unaccepted (synonym for part of...)
Tursio panope Perez Canto, 1896 · unaccepted (synonym)
