Beasley et al., 2005:

Beasley et al. (2005) extend the observations in Arnold and Heinsohn (1996) on external morphometrics and color pattern of Orcaella spp., based on a larger number of Asian specimens. New data is presented on the genetic variation within and between populations from Asia and Australia. Incorporating this new information with a review of cranial anatomy (Beasley et al. 2002a) and postcranial osteology (Arnold and Heinsohn 1996), Beasley et al. (2005) redescribe and diagnose the Australian specimens, which they propose as a new species, Orcaella heinsohni.

The authors state that "the general use of “Irrawaddy dolphin” for dolphins found in freshwater and marine habitats from the Bay of Bengal to eastern Australia has led to confusion in the past and is particularly inappropriate for Australian populations which are here considered a distinct species. Watson (1981) suggested “snubfin dolphin” as an alternate name. This name highlights a diagnostic external character, is appropriate to all populations, and has been included in lists of common names such as Rice (1998) and general field guides such as Carwardine and Camm (1995). For 0. heinsohni, Beasley et al. (2005) suggest the name “Australian snubfin dolphin.” With only one cranial specimen from Papua New Guinea (showing consistent 0. heinsohni features) (Beasley et al. 2002a), 0. heinsohni  cannot yet be considered an Australian endemic species; however, the common name reflects the fact that the majority of known specimens and all biological work are based on Australian populations. Beasley et al. (2005) hope that these findings will raise national awareness of this obscure dolphin, which was recorded from Australia only in the 1960s by an American mammalogist (Johnson 1964) and a Dutch sea captain (Morzer Bruyns 1966)."
 

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Citation and/or URL

Beasley, I., Robertson, K.M and Arnold, P. (2005). Description of a new dolphin, the Australian Snubfin dolphin Orcaella heinsohni sp.n. (Cetacea, Delphinidae). Marine Mammal Science 21(3): 365-400.

Spatial Coverage

Samples collected from northern Australia, India, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia and Laos

Temporal Coverage

Samples collected from 1876 to 2005

Update Frequency

 Not applicable 

Other Information

 None