(Right now the "Previous" and "Next" doesn't maintain serial. We're working to getting it fixed,)
Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica
English Name: Ganges River Dolphin, Ganges Dolphin,
Blind River Dolphin, South Asian River Dolphin
Local/Bangla Name: Shushuk (শুশুক), Huchchum (হাচুম), Hurchum (হুরচুম), Hoom (হুম), Nadir Shushuk (নদীর শুশুক),
Photo: Atanu Modak (iNaturalist)
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetartiodactyla
Family: Platanistidae
Description:
The body is sturdy and pliable, featuring a supple neck often marked by a narrow groove or bend. The head is small, housing a rounded melon divided by a slight ridge in front of the blowhole. The blowhole, situated atop the head and running along the body’s length, appears as a slit. Its distinctive attribute is the elongated, slender snout or rostrum, which may reach up to one-fifth of the body’s length, flattened from side to side and broadening towards the tip, occasionally curving upward in females. This structure is relatively longer in females compared to males.They possess diminutive triangular dorsal fins, contrasted by sizable pectoral flippers and expansive tail flukes.
Habitat & Distribution in Bangladesh:
It generally found in freshwater rivers. In Bangladesh, it occurs in Ganges,Brahmaputra, Meghna, Karnaphuli and Sangu river systems.
Environment:
Freshwater.
Main References:
Ahmed ATA, Kabir SMH, Ahmad M, Ahmed ZU, Begum ZNT, Hassan MA and Khondker M (2009) Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol. 27. Mammals. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka 264 pp
Other References:
Other DNA Barcodes & Nucleutide Sequences
Global IUCN conservation status:
BD IUCN conservation status:
Other Information
