Common dolphins are among the ocean’s most abundant mammals, but they are living shorter lives in the North Atlantic, according to a new study published Oct. 10 in Conservation Letters.
Common dolphins are among the ocean’s most abundant mammals, but they are living shorter lives in the North Atlantic, according to a new study published Oct. 10 in Conservation Letters.
The CU Boulder-led research team discovered that the longevity of female common dolphins has declined by seven years since 1997, an alarming trend that the authors say threatens not only the species but also the marine ecosystem it helps maintain.
“There is an urgent need to manage the population better,” said Etienne Rouby, a postdoctoral researcher in the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR). “Otherwise, there is a risk for decline and, ultimately, extinction.”
About 6 million common dolphins roam tropical and temperate oceans around the globe. They are the world’s most common cetaceans, a group that includes all whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Read More: University of Colorado at Boulder
Photo Credit: PeterG63 via Pixabay
